Actively Recruiting
Healing at Home 2.0 - Enhanced Chat Tool for Lowering Postpartum Depression
Led by University of Pennsylvania · Updated on 2026-03-27
156
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
21 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
M
March of Dimes
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether access to a text-message based holistic chatbot support program called "Healing at Home 2.0" can reduce depressive symptoms in postpartum patients of color compared to usual postpartum care. This study focuses on patients who have recently given birth and aims to assess the impact of this technology-based support on postpartum depression as measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving routine postpartum care, and the other receiving routine care plus access to the Healing at Home 2.0 SMS chatbot support program for six weeks after delivery. This chatbot provides 24/7 guidance on physical recovery, infant care, feeding, and urgent clinical needs through an algorithm-based text messaging system. The program is designed to be used starting from hospital discharge and continuing throughout the six-week postpartum period. During the study, participants will be monitored through various assessments including EPDS scores at six weeks postpartum, attendance at postpartum visits up to three months, emergency room or triage visits within six weeks, infant feeding methods, self-efficacy in infant care, knowledge of postpartum warning signs, sleep quality and duration, pain scores before hospital discharge, social support, maternal functioning, and acceptability of the intervention. The total participation duration extends from delivery through at least six weeks postpartum with some measures extending to three months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Healing at Home 2.0 - Enhanced Chat Tool for Lowering Postpartum Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Postpartum patients who have delivered a singleton baby at or after 37 weeks and 0 days of pregnancy at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Self-identify as a person of color (non-White race)
- Able to speak, read, and write English
- Age 18 years or older
- Received prenatal care at an outpatient practice affiliated with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Completed a clinically administered Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) during inpatient stay
- Planned routine discharge timing: day 2 or more after vaginal delivery, day 3 or more after cesarean delivery
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide informed consent
- Baby not discharged with mother at postpartum discharge
- Does not have access to a mobile phone
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 - 6 weeks postpartum
Participants receive routine postpartum care. Those in the intervention group use a 24/7 text message based chatbot support program for six weeks postpartum.
1 baseline visit and routine postpartum care visits
Duration - Up to 3 months postpartum
Participants are monitored for postpartum outcomes including depression, emergency room visits, infant care self-efficacy, and postpartum sleep and pain through 3 months postpartum.
Approximately 1 to 2 visits up to 3 months postpartum
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Meaghan G McCabe, MPH
A
Angelina Malenda
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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