Abstract
BackgroundModerate to severe anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia and panic disorder are common, and affect approximately 11–16% of women in pregnancy. Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders, primarily cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), have a substantial evidence base and recently time-intensive versions have been found as effective as weekly treatments. However, this has not been trialled in women who are pregnant, where a shorter intervention may be desirable.MethodsThe ADEPT study is a feasibility randomised controlled trial with two parallel intervention groups. Time-intensive one-to-one CBT and standard weekly one-to-one CBT delivered during pregnancy will be compared. Feasibility outcomes including participation and follow-up rates will be assessed, alongside the acceptability of the interventions using qualitative methods.DiscussionThe study will provide preliminary data to inform the design of a full-scale randomised controlled trial of a time-intensive intervention for anxiety during pregnancy. This will include information on the acceptability of time-intensive interventions for pregnant women with anxiety disorders.Trial registrationhttps://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN81203286 prospectively registered 27/6/2019.
Highlights
Moderate to severe anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia and panic disorder are common, and affect approximately 11–16% of women in pregnancy
Antenatal anxiety disorders persist into the postpartum period [4, 7], and they can increase the risk of postpartum depression [8]
Study aims and objectives The primary objective of this research is to assess the feasibility of a definitive trial of antenatal IN-cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) compared with standard weekly antenatal CBT for women experiencing OCD, PTSD, social phobia or panic disorder in pregnancy
Summary
Moderate to severe anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia and panic disorder are common, and affect approximately 11–16% of women in pregnancy. Psychological treatments for anxiety disorders, primarily cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), have a substantial evidence base and recently time-intensive versions have been found as effective as weekly treatments. This has not been trialled in women who are pregnant, where a shorter intervention may be desirable. Anxiety disorders are common and functionally impairing, affecting 11–16% of women in pregnancy and 8–17% of women in the postpartum period [2,3,4,5]. Postpartum anxiety disorders have been associated with impaired maternal functioning [9,10,11,12], excessive infant crying and feeding problems including lower rates of breastfeeding. Children of perinatally anxious mothers are at raised risk of experiencing emotional and behavioural problems [13,14,15,16]
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