Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41483087›Full record

ArticleMaternal and child health journal2026

Building Strong Foundations in the NICU: Reducing Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression Through Occupational Therapy.

Rachel Carpenter, Colleen Craven, Jessica Asiello

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Maternal and child health journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

3 authors.

Rachel CarpenterMass General Brigham - Newton Wellesley Hospital, Newton, MA, USA. rcarpenter1@mgb.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2401-3854
Colleen CravenMass General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions (MGH-IHP), Boston, MA, USA.
Jessica AsielloMass General Hospital-Institute of Health Professions (MGH-IHP), Boston, MA, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeGiving birth to a premature infant is a major risk factor for maternal postpartum depression (PPD), which may negatively impact parent-child bonding and result in long lasting behavioral and neurodevelopmental risks for the infant. Strong Foundations: An Occupational Therapist-Led, Activity-Based Support Group was developed to address the increased risk of PPD for mothers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The objectives of this formative pilot program evaluation were to assess the feasibility and potential effectiveness of this unique program.

methodsParticipants were selected from mothers with infants in the Level II NICU of a community hospital in the Greater Boston area. Group sessions, led by a certified neonatal occupational therapist, included Infant-Care Techniques, Meditation and Gentle Movement, and Creative Discussion Activity Classes provided over 4 weeks. Participants completed pre- and post-surveys on self-efficacy, stress, social support, and program feedback.

resultsThis program was found to be moderately feasible. Comparison of pre- and post-Likert scale scores demonstrated neutral or positive change. Two areas, "perception of maternal role" and "desire to remain in contact with other participants" revealed a directional, however not statistically significant, increase. Participant responses to open-ended questions demonstrated that the program was well received.

conclusionUsing an activity-based support group, such as the Strong Foundations program, is an avenue to support mothers in the NICU as it addresses the three main contributing factors of maternal confidence, stress level, and support network. PPD is a critical health care problem. The opportunity to reach the NICU mothers while they visit their infants is one that should not be overlooked.

Indexed as

Depression, PostpartumIntensive Care Units, NeonatalMothersOccupational TherapyAdultBostonFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornInfant, PrematureMother-Child RelationsPilot ProjectsProgram EvaluationRisk FactorsSelf EfficacyMaternal confidenceMaternal mental healthNeonatal intensive care unit (NICU)Occupational therapyPostpartum depressionSupport group

Identifiers

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.