Nurtured in Nature

Pregnancy Related Clinical Trial

Official title: Leveraging Urban Nature, Behavioral Economics, and Mobile Platforms to Prevent Postpartum Depression

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The investigators pilot test a Nature Coach Intervention in a population of postpartum women, to increase the amount of time people spend outside in local nature, with the goal of preventing postpartum depression.

Clinical Trial Description

Postpartum depression (PPD), characterized by feelings of sadness, irritability, and fatigue following the birth of a child, occurs in 10-15% of women. PPD peaks within the first 2-3 months following delivery, but can occur anytime in the first year, representing one of the most common complications of childbearing. The consequences go beyond impaired functioning for the woman, and include harmful effects on the cognitive and emotional development of the woman's infant. Despite this, many women are undiagnosed and do not get adequate treatment.

Living near and spending time in green space is associated with a host of mental health benefits, including reduced depression and improved well-being. Research has shown that women who live near more green space have improved birth outcomes such as higher birthweight infants.

Despite the growing body of evidence linking nature with improved mental health, spending time in green space is not a standard health promoting tool to address mental illness. Behavioral economics concepts have been used successfully in promoting other preventative health behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Depression, Postpartum
• Environmental Exposure
• Postpartum Depression
• Pregnancy Related

• NCT number: NCT04146025
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Pennsylvania
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 12, 2019
• Completion date: March 27, 2020