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An ACT-based chatbot (REA) demonstrates good usability, acceptability, and perceived usefulness for preventing postpartum depression.
A novel chatbot-based psychological intervention grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may offer a scalable solution to help prevent postpartum depression (PPD), according to a new multiple case study evaluation of a prototype tool known as REA.
PPD impacts up to 15% of mothers worldwide. Yet, access to preventive mental health support during pregnancy remains restricted. ACT, a therapeutic approach focused on enhancing psychological flexibility, has shown potency in decreasing mental distress—but its delivery via a digital chatbot for PPD prevention had not previously been explored. In this early-stage study, 19 volunteers engaged with a low-fidelity version of the REA chatbot during late pregnancy and the early postpartum period.
The evaluation combined quantitative and qualitative methods. Volunteers completed two questionnaires, and their experiences were further explored via semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis utilizing the Wilcoxon signed-rank test depicted remarkable improvements across most evaluated domains. These encompassed clarity, empathy, listening, lexicon, engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and perceived impact—indicating a broadly positive user experience.
Qualitative findings reinforced these results. Volunteers described the chatbot as engaging, supportive, and easy to interact with. They highlighted the smooth conversational flow, appropriate language, and concise message delivery as key strengths. Many users expressed appreciation for the tool’s accessibility and non-judgmental nature. Overall, the REA prototype exhibited excellent levels of acceptability, usability, and perceived usefulness among diverse participant group.
Hence, digital ACT-based chatbot could serve as a stigma-reducing and scalable intervention for preventing PPD. Further research is planned to refine the prototype and determine its clinical efficiency in larger, controlled trials.
Behavioral Sciences
Prevention of Postpartum Depression via a Digital ACT-Based Intervention: Evaluation of a Prototype Using Multiple Case Studies
Anna Elena Nicoletti et al.
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