A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)

A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): A Prospective Cohort Validation Study

This pilot study will recruit 120 perinatal pregnant women and follow them up for 6 months. Both momentary and retrospective assessments of emotional well-being and psychosocial factors will be conducted on a mobile application. We aim to understand the symptom trajectories and provide evidence for effective individualized interventions.

The proposed study addresses the knowledge gaps regarding the validity of mobile-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for dynamic patterns of mood symptoms and associated factors in women during pregnancy through postnatal period. The investigators hypothesize that the validity of mobile-based EMA is appropriate in women during pregnancy through postnatal period and that participants will exhibit at least two trajectories of depressive symptoms with high and low severity over a six-month period from the third trimester to three months postpartum. This prospective study using single group design will recruit 120 pregnant women for a six-month period. Clinical and self-rating assessments of mood symptoms and lifestyle information will be conducted on a mobile application. There will be a total of six periods EMA assessments and seven retrospective assessments. Six EMA questions for mood, sleep, exercise, physical well-being, and environmental context will be administered three times daily for five consecutive days, and the Edinburgh Postnatal depression Scale will be assessed at baseline and each month during the six-month period. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used to examine the feasibility and validity of mobile-based EMA. Hierarchical cluster analysis and multiple regression model will be used to identify trajectories of depressive symptoms, and associated factors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women in their first and second trimesters.
• Aged 18 years and older.
• Able to read and understand Chinese
• Own a smartphone with iOS or Android system.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia, intellectual disability or mood disorders), comorbid brain conditions (history of epilepsy, stroke, or brain tumors), or learning disabilities.