According to an August 1 statement, researcher clinicians at U of U Health are working with patients to test non-pharmaceutical treatments for depression and anxiety. These clinical trials are intended to provide pregnant people with more options and offer new hope for mental health conditions while improving future healthcare.
The clinical trial involves a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS uses powerful magnetic fields to stimulate brain regions involved in mood control. While the FDA approved TMS for treatment-resistant depression in non-pregnant populations in 2009, the therapy remains off-label for pregnant people. Dr. Rana Jawish, a perinatal psychiatrist, noted that many antidepressants have limited safety data for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The study aims to determine if the combination of TMS and CBT is feasible for patients and to identify barriers to completing treatment. While one participant, Regan Odysseus, reported improvements in her mental health after receiving TMS multiple times a week for six weeks, the overall efficacy of the therapy for pregnant populations remains unknown. Dr. Jawish stated the study, which included 20 patients, is too early to determine if the treatment works for most pregnant people, but she hopes to begin larger clinical studies soon.
Dr. Jawish described maternal mental health as a community mental health issue, noting that the well-being of a mother affects the entire family. She stated that her research and clinical practice work synergistically, where clinical practice informs research questions and research advances clinical care.
