Oxford Postnatal Treatment Study: treatment for mothers with postnatal depression to improve child outcome
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN07336477 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN07336477 |
| Protocol serial number | 090139 |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford (UK) |
| Funder | Wellcome Trust (grant ref: 090139) |
- Submission date
- 24/09/2010
- Registration date
- 28/09/2010
- Last edited
- 14/02/2018
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Maternal postnatal depression (PND) is a major public health issue: it affects around 13% of mothers, and compared to children of non-depressed mothers, the children of mothers with PND are more likely to have learning, behavioural and attachment problems. Treating maternal depression alone does not improve child outcome. An intervention focusing on mother-child interactions is needed to promote these children's development. We aim to examine whether, in the context of PND, a treatment to enhance mother-child interactions leads to improved child outcome. Furthermore, since treatment can be targeted at critical aspects of functioning, a treatment study provides an opportunity to examine potential causal factors in determining child outcome. Thus, this study will focus treatment on improving three key parenting capacities that are known to be compromised in PND, and examine whether this improves children's outcomes.
Who can participate?
Mothers of babies between 5-9 months with PND (a full diagnostic interview will be conducted) who live within a 35 mile radius of Headington, Oxford
What does the study involve?
Mothers with PND receive home-based treatment from about six months postpartum. They are then randomly allocated to one of two treatments: either a treatment using video-feedback (index) to improve mother-child interactions or relaxation training (control). Both groups also receive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for depression. In total each participant receives 11 home-based therapy sessions lasting a few months altogether (between baby age 6-12 months), followed by two booster therapy sessions when their baby is around 16 months old. The two groups are compared post treatment (child age one year) and at follow-up (child age two years) where there are further assessment visits (at home, and one in our offices in Headington, Oxford).
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
CBT, which all participants will receive, is the treatment recommended by the NHS for people with depression. CBT can help an individual to make changes to the areas of their life that they are not happy with at the moment and may help people to feel better. Relaxation therapy has been shown to be an effective method of helping people to reduce tension, and is a skill that can be used at any time. The support for mother-baby communication using video-feedback treatment has been used in several research studies with mothers and babies, and in general they have enjoyed it and found it to be helpful. Participants need to put aside about an hour and a half for each therapy and assessment session. They may find some of the things we discuss with you upsetting.
Where is the study run from?
University of Oxford (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2010 to August 2015
Who is funding the study?
Wellcome Trust (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Mrs Valerie West or Professor Alan Stein
info@opt-study.org
Contact information
Scientific
Department of Psychiatry
Oxford University
Warneford Hospital
Oxford
OX3 7JX
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-8207-2822 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre randomised controlled assessor-blinded interventional study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A randomised controlled treatment trial for mothers with postnatal depression to improve children's cognitive, behavioural and attachment outcomes, as well as to treat the mothers' depression |
| Study objectives | In the context of postnatal depression, compared to a control treatment (progressive muscle relaxation [PMR]) the index treatment (targeting mother-infant interaction) will lead to better cognitive development, fewer behaviour problems, and a higher rate of secure attachment in the children (where mothers in both groups receive cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT] for their depression). |
| Ethics approval(s) | Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, 05/08/2010, ref: 10/H0505/55 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Postnatal depression |
| Intervention | There are three therapies which constitute the study interventions: 1. The index group will receive a treatment aimed specifically to improve mother-infant interaction 2. The control treatment will receive progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) 3. All participants will also receive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for their depression All therapies will be delivered to each participant by the same therapist in the participant's home. Treatment will begin when the infant is 6 - 8 months of age. Initially there will be five weekly sessions, followed by five fortnightly sessions. There will be two booster sessions when the child is 16 and 20 months of age respectively. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Current primary outcome measures as of 28/11/2017: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Current secondary outcome measures as of 28/11/2017: |
| Completion date | 31/08/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 144 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Diagnosed with postnatal depression fulfilling criteria for major depressive disorder for at least 3 months duration 2. Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study 3. Aged 18 years or above 4. 5 - 8 months postpartum at screening 5. Infant born at 35 weeks gestation or more 6. Infant birthweight of 2000 g or more |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Other severe psychiatric diagnosis 2. Life threatening or other serious physical illness 3. Serious illness or medical complication in the infant 4. Unable to converse in English 5. Mother not cohabiting with the infant |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/03/2011 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/10/2013 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
OX3 7JX
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in the published articles will be made available, after de-identification. The study protocol and statistical analysis plan will also be made available. Data will be available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal to either achieve the aims in an approved research proposal or for individual participant data meta-analysis, from 9 months after publication. Proposals should be directed to alan.stein@psych.ox.ac.uk |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/02/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
14/02/2018: Publication reference added.
12/01/2018: Internal review.
28/11/2017: Recruitment dates, publication and dissemination plan, IPD sharing statement added, primary and secondary outcome measures updated.
18/09/2017: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.
