Effectiveness of smartphone-based music intervention on perinatal depression: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Perinatal depression has become a global public health issue with a high prevalence rate. Multiple studies have confirmed the effectiveness of music intervention. Still, the current form of offline intervention ignores issues such as convenient transportation and the stigma of diseases that pregnant women are concerned about, resulting in poor adherence. This randomized controlled study will evaluate the impact of music intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in perinatal women through the WeChat application. In addition, the usability of the WeChat application and the adherence of PND women will also be evaluated.

Methods: This randomized, open, single-center parallel controlled trial randomly divided 110 women with perinatal depression who met the inclusion criteria into a smartphone-based music intervention group and usual care group in a 1:1 ratio. The main outcome measures will consist of EPDS and WeChat application usability score. The secondary outcome measures will consist of GAD-7, CPSS, and Knowledge-Attitude-Practice questionnaire scores.

Discussion: This study will test the effectiveness of music intervention based on the WeChat application for perinatal depression and the usability of the WeChat application, to provide practical guidance for perinatal mental health care.

Trial registration: This protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials.gov (Identifier: ChiCTR2400088924) on August 29, 2024.