The Support for New Mums Project: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to test a postnatal psychoeducation smartphone application.

Abstract

To report a pilot trial protocol for testing the effectiveness of the Support for New Mums smartphone application in a cohort of first-time mothers. A pilot/feasibility randomized controlled trial using a two-group pre-test and repeated post-test design. This protocol follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines. The Intervention group will receive access to the smartphone application for 6weeks post birth. Both Intervention and control groups will receive standardized institutional postnatal care services. Trial funding was gained from respective grant sponsors in May and November 2016. The Support for New Mums smartphone application could be a novel method for addressing the gap in provision of postpartum care services providing psychoeducation and improving maternal parental self-efficacy for Australian childbearing women. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001580268.