Intervention to improve mother-baby relationships after postpartum depression

HUGS : Early Intervention to Protect the Mother-Child Relationship After Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Comparative Trial of the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Toulouse · NCT05209789

This study is testing a program called HUGS to see if it can help mothers with postpartum depression build better relationships with their babies compared to a regular playtime group.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment104 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Toulouse Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Bordeaux and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05209789 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the HUGS program, a cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention designed to enhance the mother-infant relationship in women suffering from postpartum depression (PPD). Conducted in seven French maternity hospitals, the study compares the HUGS intervention to a Playtime control group. The effectiveness will be assessed six months after the intervention using a specific evaluation scale for mother-child interactions. The aim is to address the impairments in mother-infant relationships that often accompany PPD and promote better developmental outcomes for infants.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women diagnosed with postpartum depression within 12 months of childbirth who are receiving treatment and have given birth in participating maternity hospitals.

Not a fit: Patients with uncontrolled substance use disorders or suicidal ideation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the quality of mother-infant interactions and promote healthier developmental outcomes for babies of mothers with postpartum depression.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar cognitive-behavioral approaches to improve mother-infant relationships, indicating potential for this intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria regarding the mother:

* Person affiliated or beneficiary of a social security plan;
* Free, informed and written consent signed by the participant and the investigator (at the latest on the day of inclusion and before any examination required by the research);
* Woman who gave birth in one of the maternity hospitals participating in the study;
* Diagnosis of postpartum depression made by the perinatal psychiatry team according to the clinical criteria of the DSM-5;
* Time to onset of depressive symptoms within the first 12 months after childbirth;
* Treatment for postpartum depression that started at least 8 weeks ago with improved mood as assessed by the psychiatrist.

Inclusion criteria for the baby:

* Baby aged less than 1 year at inclusion;
* Twins will be able to participate in the study and benefit from the interventions;

Non-inclusion criteria concerning the mother:

* Uncontrolled substance use disorder;
* Presence of suicidal ideas at inclusion;
* Manic episode of a bipolar disease
* Psychiatric pathology decompensated upon inclusion and corresponding to the following list: Schizophrenic disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Mood disorders with psychotic symptoms;
* Non French speaker.

Non-inclusion criteria for the baby:

- Baby hospitalized or having sustained medical care upon inclusion in the context of a somatic pathology.

Where this trial is running

Bordeaux and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Post Partum DepressionMother-baby interactionGroup therapyCognitive behavioral therapymother-infant relationship
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.