Table 4. Summary of meta-analysis.
Table of results for early interventions administered within one month of exposure to a traumatic birth.
| Comparison | Follow-up and contributing studies | Study (no) | Sample (n) | Relative Risk (95% CI) | Std.Mean Diff (95% CI) | Grade Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Interventions delivered within 72hrs following traumatic birth Immediate response early psychological Intervention vs CAU Dosage 1–2 sessions |
PTSD symptom severity 4–6 weeks post-partum Abdollahpour, 2016; Abdollahpour 2019; Azadzadeh 2020; Chiorino 2019; Gamble 2005; Horsch, 2017 [29, 41–45] |
6 | 224:258 | PP -0.58 | Moderate | |
| PTSD symptom severity 12wks weeks post-partum Abdollahpour, 2016; Abdollahpour 2019; Azadzadeh 2020; Chiorino 2019; Gamble 2005 [29,41–43] |
5 | 199:234 | PP -1.08 | Low | ||
| Midwifery led debriefing vs CAU Dosage 1 x session |
PTSD symptom severity 12 weeks post-partum Abdollahpour, 2019 [41] |
1 | 51:81 | PP -0.84 | Low | |
| TF-CBT counselling vs active intervention debriefing Dosage 1 x session |
PTSD symptom severity 12 weeks post-partum Abdollahpour, 2019 [41] |
1 | 47:51 | PP -1.45 | Low | |
| Early EMDR vs CAU Dosage 1xsession |
PTSD Rates remission 6 weeks post-partum Chiorino 2019 [44]. PTSD Rates remission 12 weeks post-partum Chiorino 2019 [44]. |
1 | 19:18 | 2.03 p = 0.03 1.34 P = 0.11 |
Low | |
| Visuospatial gaming activity Dosage 1xgame Tetris |
Prevalence of intrusive memories 1-week post-partum Horsch 2017 [45]. |
1 | ITT 29:27 PP 25:24 |
ITT 0.41 PP -5.46 |
Low | |
| Early EMDR vs CAU Dosage 1x session |
Prevalence of intrusive memories 12 weeks post-partum Chiorino 2019 [44]. |
1 | 19:18 | 0.16 P = 0.07 |
Low | |
| Midwifery led brief counselling intervention Dosage 2 x sessions |
Diagnosis of PTSD 4–6 weeks post-partum Gamble, 2005 [29]. Diagnosis of PTSD 12 weeks post-partum Gamble, 2005 [29]. |
1 | 50:53 | 1.13 P = 0.68 0.33 P = 0.08 |
Low | |
|
Interventions delivered up to 3 wks following traumatic premature birth Early TF-CBT therapy vs active psychoeducation intervention Dosage 6–9 sessions |
PTSD symptom severity 4–6 weeks post-partum Shaw, 2013 [48]. |
1 | 62:43 | ITT -0.10 d = -0.33 adjusted Bonferroni d = 0.41 p = .023 |
Low | |
|
Intervention delivered 33 days following traumatic premature birth Cues intervention vs Attention Control Comparison Dosage 6 x sessions Cues Programme Dosage 6 x contacts with care intervener (active comparison) |
PTSD symptom severity: follow up time unclear Zelkowitz,2011 [50]. |
1 | 48:58 | -0.10 | Low | |
|
Intervention self-administered within 4 weeks of a traumatic birth Online recorded footage and paper-based Psychoeducation Dosage unlimited self-led |
Clinical criteria for diagnosis of PTSD 12 weeks Slade, 2020 [49]. |
1 | 336:342 | ITT 0.77 p = .40 PP 0.81 p = .67 |
Moderate |