Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression in Iranian Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of disorder could have serious effects on the mother, the baby, and other family members, given the contradictory results of the previous studies about the effect of education programs, aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of educational programs on postpartum depression in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: English electronic information databases such as Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched until February 2018. In addition, Iran doc, Barakatskns, Magiran, Medlib, SID, and google scholar were searched using equivalent keywords in Persian until February 2018. Cochrane Q test (p<0.05 as statistically significant), and I2 index were used to evaluate heterogeneity. Funnel plot and Egger’s regression were conducted to detect publication bias. Results: The finding of the Meta –analysis indicate that education interventions was found to be more effective and could significantly improve postpartum depression (Standard Mean division (SMD) =1.44; P<0.001; Confidence Interval [CI] =0.595 to 2.40; Heterogeneity p<0.001; I2=87%). The funnel plot appears asymmetric with an outlier study. However, this finding was not confirmed by Egger's test that was nonsignificant (p=0.262), and show no asymmetry. The level of depression was lower in women receiving problem-solving skills in compared to who received no intervention (SMD =1.83; P<0.001); the level of depression showed a significant boredeline decline in women receiving Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy compared to those who did not receive intervention (SMD =1.20; P=0.089). Conclusion: Based on the finding of the current meta-analysis, it can be said that educational programs that teaches Mindfulness-based cognitive and problem-solving skills can improve of postpartum depression.