Nonpharmacologic Treatments for Maternal Mental Health Conditions

Objectives. This systematic review evaluates nonpharmacologic treatments for mental health conditions during the perinatal period (pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum). We evaluated nonpharmacologic treatments for perinatal individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Data sources and review methods. We searched MEDLINE®, PsycINFO®, Embase®, CINAHL®, the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1, 2000, to January 17, 2024, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Nonpharmacologic interventions of interest included, among others, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), exercise, non-directive counseling, behavioral activation, bright light therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and acupuncture. Outcomes of interest were improvement in scores on psychological assessment tools, cure or resolution of symptoms, suicide-related outcomes, and adherence to treatment. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023440650. Results. We identified 103 RCTs. Nonpharmacologic treatments were compared to control or each other in 101 RCTs and to pharmacologic treatments in 2 RCTs. The risk of bias was moderate for the majority of included studies, mostly related to lack of blinding. For perinatal individuals with depressive disorders, CBT was more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms (both moderate strength of evidence [SoE]); IPT was more effective than TAU to treat depressive symptoms (moderate SoE) and anxiety symptoms (low SoE); and both behavioral activation (a CBT technique, with low SoE) and exercise interventions (moderate SoE) were more effective than TAU to reduce depressive symptoms. Remission rates for depressive symptoms were higher with CBT and IPT compared to TAU (both low SoE) and higher with specific acupuncture than nonspecific or sham acupuncture (low SoE). There were no differences between CBT and non-directive counseling (an active patient-led intervention), between counseling and TAU, and between bright light and placebo light therapy (all low SoE). CBT was more effective than TAU to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms for individuals with combined depressive and anxiety disorders (low SoE). Few (or no) eligible studies evaluated individuals with anxiety disorder, PTSD, OCD, or bipolar disorders, precluding conclusions for these conditions. There was also insufficient evidence for suicide-related outcomes, potential harms of treatment, and adherence to treatment, and for comparisons of nonpharmacologic with pharmacologic treatments. Conclusion. Several nonpharmacologic treatments are more effective than TAU for perinatal mental health conditions, with the strongest evidence for CBT and IPT to reduce depressive symptoms among perinatal individuals with depressive disorders or combined depressive and anxiety disorders. Future research is needed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of lesser studied nonpharmacologic interventions and lesser studied perinatal mental health conditions.