Stanford University
Perinatal depression is a growing public health crisis in the United States, affecting one in five individuals during pregnancy or postpartum. Mental health conditions contribute to 23% of maternal deaths, underscoring the urgent need for innovative interventions. Obstetric patients who experience complications requiring prolonged hospitalization are particularly vulnerable to mental health deterioration. Virtual reality (VR) has shown promise for expanding access, reducing barriers, and enhancing first-line depression treatment when paired with evidence-based psychotherapies such as behavioral activation (BA). However, traditional BA is not feasible for inpatients, as their hospitalization prevents participation in conventional in-person, mood-boosting activities; VR-enhanced BA (VR-BA) presents a novel opportunity to address this gap. The goal of the study is to compare a 3-week VR-BA protocol to standard therapy (social work consultation) for hospitalized pregnant individuals with depressive symptoms. The objectives are to assess 1) whether VR-BA is acceptable, tolerable, and feasible in this population and 2) whether it leads to greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared to standard therapy.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients admitted to Stanford Children's Hospital antepartum unit for obstetric indications that are likely to warrant \>3 weeks of hospitalization (such as vasa previa, preterm premature rupture of membranes, severe preeclampsia). * Able to read and write in English or Spanish * Baseline EPDS score on admission \>=10 on routine screening * Admitted \>24 hours prior to enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with serious neuropsychiatric illness (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, or suicidal ideation) * Known delivery planned within the next 3 weeks
The available VR-BA sessions include immersive 360° videos using headsets. The content encompasses a wide range of categories, including but not limited to animals; sports, dance, or arts; adrenaline; travel; and hiking or the outdoors. The patient will select activities which align most with their values and interests, with guidance during the telehealth sessions. The videos range from 1 minute to 10 minutes.