A new study is planning to test an online program called PROMATER. This program is designed for pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks. It focuses on helping mothers manage their expectations and reduce harsh self-criticism during the final stages of pregnancy.
The three-week program includes six different modules. These lessons cover topics like social support, mindfulness, and bonding with the baby. The goal is to give mothers practical tools to improve their mental health and feel more confident as they prepare for their new roles.
Researchers will compare this program against a similar version that does not include specific tools for self-compassion. They will check if the PROMATER group shows better results in areas like anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life. The study will also check these results three months after the baby is born.
This online approach is designed to be easy for many women to access. By moving the program online, it can reach more people and be more affordable. This could make it easier for doctors to offer mental health support to many mothers who need it during a very important time in their lives.
Common questions
What is the PROMATER program?
PROMATER is a 3-week online program with 6 modules. It covers maternal expectations, self-criticism, perinatal mental health, social support, self-compassion, and mindfulness and mother-infant bonding. The trial is testing it in pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation.
Has this program been proven to work?
No. This is a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. That means the study has not been conducted or reported yet. There are no results, no safety data, and no evidence yet that the program helps. The trial will compare it to an active control program.
Who can join this study?
The trial plans to include 130 pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. It takes place online. The study is testing self-compassion and self-criticism as the main outcomes, along with postpartum depression, anxiety, quality of life, social support, and mother-infant bonding.
What are the side effects or risks?
The protocol does not report any safety information. Adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability are all listed as not reported. Because the trial has not been conducted or reported, there is no data yet on risks or side effects.
When will we know if it works?
The protocol does not say when results will be available. Measurements are planned at baseline, right after the 3-week program, and 3 months after birth. Until the trial is completed and reported, there is no way to know if the program helps.
