A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) provided during pregnancy can significantly reduce depressive symptoms in mothers postpartum.
The research, involving participants from both the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, aimed to determine whether addressing insomnia during pregnancy could alleviate the prevalence of postpartum depression, a common issue affecting many new mothers.
In a randomized controlled trial, 62 women experiencing insomnia participated in a five-week CBTI intervention tailored for pregnant individuals. The participants were assessed for symptoms of insomnia and depression prior to the intervention, immediately following it, and again six months after giving birth.
The findings suggest that effectively treating insomnia during pregnancy may act as a protective factor against the onset of postpartum depression. Dr. Elizabeth Keys, a lead investigator in the study, emphasized the importance of recognizing and addressing sleep issues. “While poor sleep during and after pregnancy is common, it is often dismissed as inevitable. Many parents may not realize that evidence-based treatments like CBTI are available,” she noted.
Dr. Keys added, “Our study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of treating insomnia during pregnancy for various outcomes. It is crucial to explore ways to make this treatment more accessible to pregnant women across the country, aiming to improve sleep health equity.”
The study underscores the interdisciplinary collaboration between UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, along with researchers from across Canada. Dr. Tavis Campbell and Dr. Keys are affiliated with UBCO’s School of Nursing, while Dr. Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Intersectionality, is based at UBC Vancouver.
Dr. Keys and Dr. Tomfohr-Madsen also serve as lead investigators on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Sleep Equity Reimagined team and are members of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium.
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