Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Video-Feedback Interaction Guidance for Improving Interactions Between Depressed Mothers and Their Infants ("VID-KIDS")

This study, called "VID-KIDS," is looking into a new video-feedback program designed to help mothers who are experiencing postnatal depression (PND). PND can make it hard for mums to fully enjoy and connect with their babies, which can affect the baby's development. This program uses video to show mums and babies interacting, guided by a nurse, to help improve those connections. Researchers want to see if this program improves how mothers and babies interact, reduces stress in babies, helps with the baby's development, and eases the mother's depression and anxiety. If successful, this could become a useful tool for supporting new mums and their families.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

400

Start

01 May 2017

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2026

Post Partum Depression

What is this study about?

Postnatal depression (PND) affects about 1 in 5 new mothers. It can make a mother feel disconnected from her baby, making it hard to understand and enjoy their interactions. These early interactions, like smiling back at your baby, are really important for your baby's healthy development. When a mother has PND, these vital interactions can be fewer or less warm, which can cause stress for the baby. This stress can even affect how their brain develops.

Researchers are looking for ways to help mothers with PND improve their connection with their babies. Sometimes, even when a mother's depression gets better, the bond with the baby doesn't always improve on its own. This new study builds on earlier research that showed how watching videos of themselves interacting with their baby, with guidance from a nurse, helped mothers with PND connect more. By making these interactions better, mothers might feel more motivated to play with their babies, and babies who seem interested and happy to interact are more likely to bring joy to their mums.

This study, called VID-KIDS, will test this video-feedback program more widely. It aims to see if it improves how mothers and babies interact, affects stress levels in babies, helps with the baby's overall development, and reduces the mother's depression and anxiety. If VID-KIDS works well, the goal is to make it available through local health services and even develop it for wider use to help more families.

Key takeaways

It's for mothers with postnatal depression (PND).
Uses video feedback with a nurse to improve mother-baby interaction.
Aims to help both the mother's mood and the baby's development.
You don't need to stop other PND treatments to participate.
Recruitment is via public health checks for PND.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for mothers who might be experiencing postnatal depression (PND).

You might be able to join if you: * Are aged 16 or over. * Were identified as possibly having PND during a routine PND check by a public health nurse (using a questionnaire called the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, where your score was above 12). * Have a baby aged between 2 and 6 months old. * Are not currently receiving other one-on-one parenting support services, such as specific parenting courses or infant-parent therapy. If you're taking antidepressants or getting counselling for PND, you can still take part.

Potential participants are usually identified through routine PND screening at baby vaccination clinics in Calgary. If you meet the initial criteria, someone from the study team will contact you to explain more and check if you're suitable to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a mother aged 16 or over?
Did a public health nurse suggest you might have PND based on a screening score over 12?
Is your baby currently between 2 and 6 months old?
Are you not currently part of other specific one-on-one parenting support programs?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the VID-KIDS study, you would first learn more about it and give your consent. Then, your interactions with your baby would be video-recorded. You would watch these videos with a nurse who would guide you on how to improve your connection. Throughout the study, there would be assessments to check your mood (for depression and anxiety), your stress about parenting, and your baby's development. Researchers would also collect saliva samples from your baby to check their stress hormone levels. The exact number of visits and the total duration of your involvement would be explained in detail by the study team, but it focuses on improving interactions over a period while your baby is young.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some potential benefits, such as helping you connect better with your baby and potentially easing your symptoms of depression and anxiety. It could also help your baby's development and reduce their stress. However, as with any study, there could be some potential downsides, such as the time commitment required for appointments or the possibility that the intervention might not work for everyone. While the researchers aim to be supportive, there's always a chance that discussing your feelings could be challenging. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada

Common questions

What is postnatal depression (PND)?

PND is when a new mother feels very down, anxious, or overwhelmed after giving birth. It's more than just the 'baby blues' and can affect how she connects with her baby.

What is the 'VID-KIDS' program?

It's a program that uses video recordings of mothers and babies interacting. A nurse watches these videos with the mother, giving guidance to help improve their connection.

How will my baby's stress be measured?

Researchers will collect small samples of your baby's saliva, typically from their cheek, to measure levels of a stress hormone called cortisol.

Will I have to stop my current treatment for PND?

No, you don't need to stop taking antidepressants or attending therapy like counselling to join this study. You can continue with your existing treatments.

Where does this study take place?

The study recruits mothers through Calgary Public Health's immunization program, and activities would likely happen in nearby supportive environments.