Overview
This study is part of the ERC-funded e-Perinatal project and represents a large-scale hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized controlled trial. The primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized and complex mobile health (mHealth) intervention (e-Perinatal) in the universal prevention of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety disorders. Secondary aims include evaluating the impact on paternal mental health and child development, as well as examining implementation outcomes in real-world primary healthcare settings.
Description
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness and implementation of the e-Perinatal intervention, a personalized mobile health (mHealth) psychological program designed for the universal prevention of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety disorders. The study will be conducted as a two-arm, cluster-randomized, hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial in routine maternal care settings within primary healthcare centers.
Primary healthcare centers will be randomized to either the intervention or control arm. Participants will include pregnant women and their partners.
The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of the e-Perinatal intervention in reducing the cumulative incidence of maternal perinatal depression and anxiety disorders, assessed via structured diagnostic interviews. Secondary objectives include assessing maternal and paternal mental health outcomes, child development outcomes, and identifying moderators and mediators of intervention effectiveness.
In addition, the study will evaluate implementation outcomes, including acceptability, feasibility, adoption, fidelity, and barriers and facilitators to implementation in real-world healthcare settings.
Participants in the intervention group will receive access to the e-Perinatal app alongside usual maternal care. The e-Perinatal app includes: 1) Digital micro-interventions focused on psychological, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle domains; 2) a personalized recommendation engine; 3) a social support section; 4) mental health monitoring; 5) an 'SOS' button for assistance; and 6) an appointment reminder tool. Participants in the control group will receive usual maternal care.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
\- Inclusion Criteria (Women)
Must receive an invitation to participate from a healthcare professional at one of the participating primary healthcare centers
Must be pregnant for at least 11 weeks at the time of enrollment
Must be at least 18 years old
Must have access to a mobile phone and internet connection
Must be able to read, write, and understand Spanish
Must have a personal email account
No diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder at baseline Forma
\- Inclusion Criteria (Partners or significant others)
Must receive an invitation to participate from a woman already enrolled in the study
Must be at least 18 years old
Must have access to a mobile phone and internet connection
Must be able to read, write, and understand Spanish
Must have a personal email account
Exclusion Criteria:
- Exclusion Criteria (Women)
Current diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder
Receiving psychological or pharmacological treatment for mental health or substance use conditions
\- Exclusion criteria for partners (or significant others):
There are no exclusion criteria for partners
