Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40088260›Full record

SynthesisArchives of women's mental health2025

Effect of prenatal online interventions on postpartum depressive symptoms and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alice Savoia, Simona Scaini, Francesca Rossi, Marta Calcinati, Annalisa Oppo

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Archives of women's mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Alice SavoiaSFU, Sigmund Freud University - Milan, Ripa Di Porta Ticinese 77, Milan, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-2286-7848
Simona ScainiSFU, Sigmund Freud University - Milan, Ripa Di Porta Ticinese 77, Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-5978-7165
Francesca RossiIESCUM, Istituto Europeo per lo Studio del Comportamento Umano, Parma, Italy.
Marta CalcinatiIESCUM, Istituto Europeo per lo Studio del Comportamento Umano, Parma, Italy.
Annalisa OppoSFU, Sigmund Freud University - Milan, Ripa Di Porta Ticinese 77, Milan, Italy. a.oppo@milano-sfu.it.ORCID 0000-0002-4398-1852

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDepression during pregnancy and postpartum can severely impact psychological and physical well-being, with significant consequences for the child and family. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online interventions during pregnancy in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms and enhancing well-being.

methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English involving pregnant women over 18 years old who participated in online interventions, with or without the support of a health worker, were included. Studies were required to use validated measures for depression and well-being assessed during pregnancy and postpartum. Exclusion criteria comprised literature reviews, meta-analyses, theses, self-help groups and assessment of symptomatology during the period concurrent with maternity blues. A search was conducted using PubMed and EBSCOhost databases, concluding on July 29, 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2.

resultsEighteen studies with a total of 9,565 participants met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 38.8% involved clinical populations. Variability was noted in theoretical models, gestational age, professional involvement, and intervention activities. The overall effect size was significant (Cohen's d = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.66; p = 0.0114) with greater efficacy observed in studies using treatment as usual (TAU) as a control and those incorporating relaxation and physical activity. DISCUSSION: Limitations include the absence of standardized protocols and uncertainties regarding long-term efficacy. Although the findings suggest potential effectiveness of online interventions in reducing depressive symptoms, further research is required to address gaps in the existing evidence. OTHER: The study received no funding and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420999).

Indexed as

Depression, PostpartumInternet-Based InterventionPregnant PeoplePrenatal CareAdultDepressionFemaleHumansPregnancyRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicMeta-analysisOnline interventionPPDPregnancyPrimary preventionSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40088260

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.