Effect of psychological intervention on postpartum depression / 中国基层医药

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of psychological intervention on postpartum depression.Methods:A total of 250 pregnant women who were hospitalized for delivery in the obstetrics ward of Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were included in this randomized controlled study. The patients were randomly assigned to an observation group ( n = 125) and a control group ( n = 125) using a random number table. The observation group received psychological intervention, while the control group underwent routine ward rounds. Prior to and after intervention, the levels of depression [assessed by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score and Self-rating Depression scale (SDS) score] and anxiety [measured by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) score] were compared between the two groups. Results:Before intervention, the EPDS, SDS, and SAS scores in the observation group were (16.95 ± 4.20) points, (65.83 ± 7.52) points, and (61.12 ± 7.59) points, respectively. In the control group, these scores were (16.62 ± 4.03) points, (64.49 ± 7.98) points, and (60.88 ± 7.85) points, respectively. At 7 days post-discharge, the EPDS, SDS, and SAS scores in the observation group were (11.54 ± 2.39) points, (51.12 ± 4.62) points, and (49.71 ± 4.22) points, respectively. In the control group, these scores were (15.93 ± 3.87) points, (63.21 ± 6.95) points, and (59.65 ± 6.43) points, respectively. At 7 days post-discharge, the EPDS, SDS, and SAS scores in the observation group were significantly decreased compared with those before intervention ( t = 18.35, 27.09, 21.60, all P < 0.001). At 7 days post-discharge, the EPDS, SDS, and SAS scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = -10.79, -16.19, -14.44, all P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in EPDS, SDS, and SAS scores in the control group between before intervention and 7 days post-discharge ( t = 1.95, 1.91, 1.92, P = 0.051, 0.056, 0.055). Conclusion:Psychological intervention can effectively alleviate postpartum depression and anxiety in postpartum women and deserves clinical promotion.