The Support for New Mums Project: A protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to test a postnatal psychoeducation smartphone application

Abstract

Aim: To report a pilot trial protocol for testing the effectiveness of the Support for New Mums smartphone application in a cohort of first-time mothers. Design: A pilot/feasibility randomized controlled trial using a two-group pre-test and repeated post-test design. Method: This protocol follows the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines. The Intervention group will receive access to the smartphone application for 6 weeks post birth. Both Intervention and control groups will receive standardized institutional postnatal care services. Trial funding was gained from respective grant sponsors in May and November 2016. Discussion: The Support for New Mums smartphone application could be a novel method for addressing the gap in provision of postpartum care services providing psychoeducation and improving maternal parental self-efficacy for Australian childbearing women. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001580268.