Effect of singing interventions on symptoms of postnatal depression: three-arm randomised controlled trial

D Fancourt; R Perkins

doi:10.1192/bjp.2017.29

Effect of singing interventions on symptoms of postnatal depression: three-arm randomised controlled trial

Br J Psychiatry. 2018 Feb;212(2):119-121. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2017.29.

Authors

D Fancourt¹, R Perkins²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Behavioural Science and Health,University College London,London;Faculty of Medicine,Imperial College London,London;Centre for Performance Science,Royal College of Music,London.
² Centre for Performance Science,Royal College of Music,London;Faculty of Medicine,Imperial College London,London,UK.

PMID: 29436333
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2017.29

Abstract

This study assessed whether a novel psychosocial intervention could reduce symptoms of postnatal depression (PND) in the first 40 weeks post-birth. Analyses were carried out of 134 mothers with symptoms of PND randomised into 10 weeks of group singing workshops or group play workshops for them and their babies, or usual care (trial registration: NCT02526407). Overall, among all mothers with symptoms of PND, there was a non-significant faster improvement in symptoms in the singing group (F 4,262 = 1.66, P = 0.16, η 2 = 0.012). When isolating mothers with moderate-severe symptoms of PND, this result became significant, with a faster improvement in symptoms in the singing group (F 3.9,139.8 = 2.74, P = 0.033, η 2 = 0.028). Declaration of interest None.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Depression, Postpartum / therapy*
Female
Humans
Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
Psychotherapy, Group / methods*
Sensory Art Therapies / methods*
Singing*

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02526407