NCT05585164

Engage & Connect: A Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression

Engage & Connect: A Novel Social Reward Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial compares a novel psychotherapy, Engage \& Connect, with a Symptom Review and Psychoeducation intervention, tailored to reduce postpartum depression. The study includes 9-weeks interventions, delivered remotely. It will examine changes in social isolation, processing of social rewards and depression severity over 9 weeks of treatment.

Detailed description

Postpartum depression is linked with decreased motivation to seek rewarding activities and enjoyment of pleasurable experiences. Social isolation and low perceived social support predict persistence of postpartum depression. Engagement in rewarding social activities with significant others may increase motivation and enjoyment, motivating utilization of a therapy that addresses social isolation and reward response. The investigators developed Engage \& Connect (E\&C), a 9-week psychotherapy program that focuses on increasing meaningful social activities with significant others. This study will be a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial that will compare the 9-week E\&C course for mothers with postpartum depression with a Symptom Review and Psychoeducation condition (SRP) for mothers with postpartum depression.

Conditions

• Postpartum Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Engage & Connect (E&C)	Engage \& Connect, is a remotely-delivered extension of Engage psychotherapy. It is aimed to increase engagement in rewarding social activities and in turn, reduce postpartum depression. In each session, the therapist will work with the patient to develop "action plans" to pursue rewarding social activities of their choice with the goal of reducing social isolation.
BEHAVIORAL	Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP)	SPR is a remotely-delivered intervention aimed to increase knowledge of postpartum depression and monitor mental health changes. In each session, the therapist will review the participant's symptoms and discuss information related to postpartum depression and changes after birth.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-11-01
• Primary completion: 2030-07-01
• Completion: 2030-07-01
• First posted: 2022-10-18
• Last updated: 2025-09-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States