Using a Mobile App to Track and Detect Symptoms of Postpartum Depression in Pregnant Women from Early Pregnancy to Three Months After Birth

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying postpartum depression in pregnant women by using a mobile application to monitor emotional well-being and psychosocial factors from pregnancy through the postnatal period. This observational study aims to evaluate the validity of mobile ecological momentary assessment EMA for tracking dynamic mood symptoms and identifying different symptom patterns over six months. The study will recruit 120 women to better understand depression symptom trajectories and to support tailored interventions. Participants will use a mobile app for both momentary and retrospective assessments. EMA questions about mood, sleep, exercise, physical well-being, and environmental context will be asked three times daily during five-day periods each month for six months. Additionally, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale EPDS will be completed at the start and monthly. This approach allows detailed and frequent tracking of symptoms and lifestyle factors. During the study, participants will complete six periods of EMA assessments alongside seven retrospective assessments over six months, starting from the third trimester to three months postpartum. Researchers will analyze mood symptoms and related factors using statistical methods to find symptom patterns. Participants will also complete the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale and a post-study acceptance survey. The study includes regular monitoring to assess feasibility and validity, with all data collected via the mobile app.

A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA)