Actively Recruiting
Engage & Connect: A Novel Social Reward Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression
Led by Weill Medical College of Cornell University · Updated on 2025-09-25
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating a new psychotherapy called Engage & Connect (E&C) designed to help mothers with postpartum depression by increasing meaningful social activities and reducing social isolation. This randomized controlled trial compares E&C to a Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP) intervention, both delivered remotely over 9 weeks. The study focuses on changes in social isolation, processing of social rewards, and depression severity during treatment. Participants receive one of two 9-week remotely delivered behavioral therapies. Engage & Connect involves working with a therapist to create action plans for engaging in rewarding social activities. The Symptom Review and Psychoeducation intervention provides symptom monitoring and education about postpartum depression and changes after birth. Both interventions aim to assist mothers with postpartum depression but use different approaches. During the study, depression severity will be measured weekly using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Additional assessments include the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS) and social reward processing tasks at baseline, week 3, week 6, and week 9. The trial is double-blinded and randomized, with continuous monitoring of mental health and social engagement. Participation lasts for the 9-week treatment period with regular evaluations.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Engage & Connect: A Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Up to 1 year post-delivery
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score �3e= 10
- Off antidepressants or on a stable dose of an antidepressant for 8 weeks with no intent to change dose in next 10 weeks
- Ability to provide consent for research assessment and treatment
- Proficient in English
You will not qualify if you...
- Intent or plan to attempt suicide in the near future
- Ongoing psychotherapy more than once every 8 weeks or during the intervention
- Active substance abuse or dependence
- Severe fetal anomalies, stillbirth, or infant death at enrollment for index pregnancy
- Psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or specific phobia
- Use of psychotropic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors other than up to 0.5 mg lorazepam daily
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 9 weeks
Participants engage in a 9-week psychotherapy program delivered remotely, focusing on increasing meaningful social activities or symptom review and psychoeducation to address postpartum depression.
Weekly remote therapy sessions
Duration - 9 weeks (concurrent with treatment)
Participants complete assessments of depression symptoms and social reward processing at baseline, during treatment at weeks 3 and 6, and after treatment at week 9.
Assessment sessions at baseline, Week 3, Week 6, and Week 9
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, New York, United States, 10022
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nili Solomonov, PhD
M
Maddy Schier
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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