What happened
A self-led digital programme reduced anxiety among pregnant participants at risk of worsening symptoms, according to a randomized trial published in JAMA Network Open.
What RELAX tested
The UK trial enrolled 268 participants at 16–28 weeks’ gestation who had high repetitive negative thinking and up to moderate anxiety. Participants received usual maternity care with or without twelve online sessions over four weeks.
At eight weeks, the RELAX group’s average GAD-7 anxiety score was 1.5 points lower than the usual-care group’s, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.6–2.4 points lower.
A benefit with defined limits
A smaller difference in general anxiety persisted at the later postpartum assessment. Some other benefits did not persist, and work and social functioning did not significantly differ.
Outcomes were self-reported. The study excluded people with high anxiety and several other clinical histories, and most participants were highly educated. It does not establish effectiveness for everyone experiencing perinatal anxiety.
Why it matters
InsideHer’s editorial view is that digital care deserves evaluation at the level of the specific intervention. The content, intended population, support pathway and measured outcomes all matter.
What to watch
Replication in more diverse populations, accessibility, longer-term effects and integration with maternity services.
