Treating maternal depression in mothers of children with asthma

Testing the Effectiveness and Implementation of an Evidence-Based Maternal Depression Treatment in an Urban Pediatric Asthma Clinic

Not applicable Interventional Children's National Research Institute · NCT06623981

This study is testing a new therapy for mothers with depression who have children with asthma to see if it helps improve their mental health and their child's asthma management.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorChildren's National Research Institute Academic / other
Locations1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia)
Trial IDNCT06623981 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Enhanced Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-B) for mothers experiencing depression, specifically those with children aged 4-11 years who have asthma. Conducted in an urban pediatric asthma clinic, the study will compare the outcomes of mothers receiving Enhanced IPT-B to those receiving supplemented usual care. The trial will assess changes in maternal depressive symptoms, child asthma management, and overall health outcomes over a period of six months. Participants will be recruited through routine depression screenings during their child's clinic visits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Black mothers aged 18 and older with clinically significant depressive symptoms whose children are aged 4-11 years and have physician-diagnosed persistent asthma.

Not a fit: Patients who are acutely suicidal, have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or significant medical co-morbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve mental health outcomes for mothers and enhance asthma management for their children.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in addressing maternal mental health and its impact on child health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Maternal:

* Primary caregiver of the child with asthma seen at the community-based asthma clinic
* Female (self-identified)
* Black (self-identified)
* ≥ 18 years of age
* English-speaking
* PHQ-9 ≥ 8 during standardized screening at the child with asthma's clinic visit

Child:

* \<18 years old for the duration of the 6-month study period
* Publicly insured
* Physician-diagnosed persistent asthma

Exclusion Criteria:

Maternal:

* Acutely suicidal (high risk on the C-SSRS at child's asthma clinic visit)
* Bipolar disorder or mania
* Schizophrenia
* Current substance abuse/dependence
* Current serious physical intimate partner violence (IPV)
* Lack of capacity to meaningfully participate in study procedures, as assessed by study staff during screening

Child:

* Significant medical co-morbidity (e.g., disorders of the cardiorespiratory system, significant developmental delay, diabetes, seizure disorder, and sickle cell disease)
* Enrolled in another intervention with a behavioral component and/or novel asthma therapeutics

Where this trial is running

Washington D.C., District of Columbia

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 Asthma in ChildrenDepression
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.