Mobile app to detect early signs and symptom patterns of postpartum depression with short real-time check-ins
A Mobile Application for Early Detection and Symptoms Trajectories of Postpartum Depression Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA): A Prospective Cohort Validation Study
This pilot will test whether a smartphone app can pick up early signs and symptom patterns of postpartum depression in pregnant women by collecting brief daily check-ins.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Trial ID | NCT07382336 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-group prospective pilot will enroll 120 pregnant women and follow them for six months spanning late pregnancy into the early postpartum period. Participants complete six ecological momentary assessment (EMA) periods delivered via a Chinese-language smartphone app, with six brief EMA items (mood, sleep, exercise, physical well-being, and context) administered three times daily for five consecutive days, plus seven monthly retrospective assessments including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Clinical and self-report data will be combined to examine feasibility and validity of mobile EMA and to model symptom trajectories. Hierarchical clustering and regression analyses will be used to identify groups with high- and low-severity depressive symptom trajectories and their associated factors.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant women aged 18 or older who can read Chinese and own an iOS or Android smartphone are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Women with existing psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenia, intellectual disability, mood disorders), major brain conditions, or learning disabilities are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow earlier detection of worsening postpartum depression and help target personalized supports sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous EMA work in mood disorders and some perinatal studies has shown promise, but mobile-based EMA for postpartum depression has limited validation, so this pilot addresses that gap.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women in their first and second trimesters. * Aged 18 years and older. * Able to read and understand Chinese * Own a smartphone with iOS or Android system. Exclusion Criteria: * Psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., schizophrenia, intellectual disability or mood disorders), comorbid brain conditions (history of epilepsy, stroke, or brain tumors), or learning disabilities.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jessie LIN, PhD
- Email: jx-jessie.lin@polyu.edu.hk
- Phone: +852 2766 6718
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.