Scalable, quick digital help for new mothers with intrusive postpartum thoughts
Official title: Pilot Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial of a Scalable Intervention Targeting Postpartum Intrusive Thoughts
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-11438134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A brief, self-guided digital session helps new parents understand and reduce distress from unwanted postpartum thoughts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | August 6, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $410,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH146063-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are new parents within the postpartum period who experience intrusive thoughts related to their baby.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without postpartum intrusive thoughts or those not seeking digital self-guided interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a simple, scalable digital intervention designed to help parents who experience intrusive thoughts after childbirth. It focuses on reducing fear and misinterpretation of thoughts, using psychoeducation delivered in a single, self-guided encounter. The goal is to reach families quickly, even if they can’t attend frequent visits, and to lower barriers like time, childcare, and stigma. The approach aims to be practical for real-world use, with attention to diverse family situations and parenting roles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lessen distress and improve daily functioning for new parents dealing with intrusive postpartum thoughts.
How similar studies have gone: Similar psychoeducation-based, digital approaches have shown promise in reducing distress in perinatal populations, but this specific SSI is novel in its scalable delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falkenstein, Martha J — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Falkenstein, Martha J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.