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Fidelity of Interventions to Reduce or Prevent Stress and/or Anxiety from Pregnancy up to Two Years Postpartum: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Introduction

Intervention fidelity refers to whether an intervention is delivered as intended and can enhance interpretation of trial outcomes. Fidelity of interventions to reduce or prevent stress and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum has yet to be examined despite inconsistent findings for intervention effects. This study systematically reviews use and/or reporting of intervention fidelity strategies in trials of interventions, delivered to (expectant) parents during pregnancy and postpartum, to reduce or prevent stress and/or anxiety.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and Maternity and Infant Care were searched from inception to March 2019. Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials including pregnant women, expectant fathers and/or partners during pregnancy, and/ or parents within the first two years postpartum. The National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium checklist was used to assess fidelity across five domains (study design, provider training, delivery, receipt, enactment).

Results

Sixteen papers (14 interventions) were identified. Average reported use of fidelity strategies was ‘low’ (45%), ranging from 17.5 to 76%. Fidelity ratings ranged from 22% for provider training to 54% for study design.

Conclusions

Low levels of intervention fidelity may explain previous inconsistent effects of stress and anxiety reduction interventions. Important methodological areas for improvement include intervention provider training, fidelity of comparator conditions, and consideration of non-specific treatment effects. Increased methodological rigour in fidelity enhancement and assessment will improve intervention implementation and enhance examination of stress and anxiety reduction and prevention interventions delivered during pregnancy and the postpartum.

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Acknowledgements

Mr Gorman was supported by a Health Research Board Summer Student Scholarship 2019. Dr Matvienko-Sikar is supported by a Health Research Board ARPP Grant (HRB-ARPP-2018-A011). Dr Flannery is supported by a Health Research Board ICE Grant (HRB ICE-2015-1026). The funders had no role in the conceptualisation, conduct or reporting of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, Ireland

    Gregory Gorman, Caragh Flannery, Patricia M. Kearney & Karen Matvienko-Sikar

  2. School of Allied Health, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Elaine Toomey

  3. School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England

    Sarah Redsell

  4. School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Catherine Hayes

  5. Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Anja Huizink

  6. School of Public Health, University College Cork, 4th Floor, Western Gateway Building, Western Road, Cork, Ireland

    Karen Matvienko-Sikar

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  1. Gregory Gorman
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Gorman, G., Toomey, E., Flannery, C. et al. Fidelity of Interventions to Reduce or Prevent Stress and/or Anxiety from Pregnancy up to Two Years Postpartum: A Systematic Review. Matern Child Health J 25, 230–256 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-03093-0

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