Background This study explored whether psychosocial intervention applications (apps) are effective in preventing postpartum depression. Methods We conducted an initial article search on 26 March 2020, and the updated search on 17 March 2023 on the electronic databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via Ovid, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. Furthermore, we searched the International Clinical Trials Platform Search Portal (ICTRP), and Clinical Trials. Results We identified 2515 references, and sixteen studies were ultimately included in this review. We conducted a meta-analysis of two studies on the onset of postpartum depression. There were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups (RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.04; P = 0.570). We performed a meta-analysis of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The intervention group had significantly lower EPDS scores than the control group (mean difference -0.96; 95% CI -1.44 to -0.48; P < 0.001, I2 = 82%, Chi2 = 62.75, P < 0.001; high heterogeneity). Conclusion This study presents the results of current RCTs on interventions with apps, including an app with an automated psychosocial component for preventing postpartum depression that has been conducted. These apps improved the EPDS score; furthermore, they may prevent postpartum depression.

Background This study aimed to assess whether automated apps are effective in preventing postpartum depression. Methods We conducted an article search on the electronic databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via Ovid, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I on March 26th, 2020. We also searched the International Clinical Trials Platform Search Portal (ICTRP), and Clinical Trials. Results We identified 1581 references, and seven studies were ultimately included in this review. Only one study has assessed the onset of postpartum depression as an outcome. This indicated that after the app intervention, the proportion of women who developed postpartum depression was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (6 weeks postpartum risk ratio (RR)0.79, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI)0.58–1.06; 3 months postpartum RR0.74, 95%CI0.50–1.09; 6 months postpartum RR0.73, 95%CI0.49–1.11 RR0.73, 95%CI0.49–1.11). We performed a meta-analysis of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at each time point. During the immediate (0–8 weeks postpartum) period, the intervention group had significantly lower EPDS scores than the control group (mean differences (MD) -0.59; 95%CI -1.00 to -0.18; P = 0.005). In the short term (9–16 weeks postpartum), there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of EPDS score (MD -0.32; 95%CI -10.82 to 1.17; P = 0.20). Limitations: Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT) measured the onset of postpartum depression as an outcome; we performed a meta-analysis only on the EPDS scores. Additionally, there was a high risk of incomplete outcome data due to the high attrition rates in the study. Conclusion The apps, including an automated component for the prevention of postpartum depression, improved the EPDS score; furthermore, they may prevent postpartum depression.

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