Actively Recruiting
Baby Swim As an Intervention for Depressive Symptoms and Lacking Attachment During the Postpartum Period
Led by Uppsala University · Updated on 2025-02-04
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
47 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Mental health challenges during and after pregnancy affect about 10-15% of women, with depression being a common issue. Risk factors include previous depression, low social support, and stressful events. Symptoms may include feelings of inadequacy about motherhood and obsessive thoughts about the baby, which can impact bonding and lead to long-term behavioral and emotional difficulties in children. This research aims to evaluate whether baby swimming can help reduce depressive symptoms and improve mother-child attachment during the postpartum period. The study compares two groups of new mothers: one receives a baby swimming intervention immediately, and the other after seven months. The intervention involves a course held twice weekly for five weeks, with ten 30-minute sessions in warm water. Mothers participate actively with their babies, practicing physical contact, eye contact, and responding to their baby's signals, alongside water safety exercises. The waitlist control group receives the same course later. Participants complete baseline questionnaires and follow-ups over seven months. Researchers assess depressive symptoms and attachment between mother and child. Evaluations include standard depression scales and measures of bonding. The study monitors participants' responses to the intervention and its effects on mental health and attachment, aiming to improve postpartum care for mothers and babies.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Baby Swim As an Intervention for Depressive Symptoms and Lacking Attachment During the Postpartum Period
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women who have given birth at full term
- Women aged 18 years or older
- Women with a baby aged 3 to 7 months at the time of inclusion
- Women exhibiting depressive symptoms according to the EPDS scale
You will not qualify if you...
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)
- Known psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder
- Inability to communicate adequately in Swedish or English
- Inability to read and complete digital questionnaires in Swedish or English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 5 weeks
Participants in the treatment group attend a baby swimming course designed to improve depressive symptoms and attachment during the postpartum period. The course includes physical contact, eye contact, responding to baby's signals, and water safety exercises.
Twice weekly sessions, 10 sessions total
Duration - 7 months
Participants are followed for seven months after the intervention to assess depressive symptoms and attachment.
1 follow-up assessment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Alkistis Skalkidou, PhD, MD
S
Sara Sylvén, PhD, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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