Technologies Applied to the Mental Health Care of Pregnant Women: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to review the literature regarding the use of technologies to promote mental health for pregnant women. We seek to: understand the strategies that pregnant women use for mental health care. Also, we investigate the existence of scientific evidence that validates such practices.

Methods: This study follows the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. We analyze 27 studies published between 2012 and 2019. We include publications in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Results: The results revealed several different possibilities to use technology, including the use of text messages and mobile applications on smartphones. Mobile applications are the most commonly used approaches (22.5%). Regarding the strategies used, cognitive-behavioral approaches, including mood checks, relaxation exercises, and psychoeducation comprised 44.12% of the content.

Conclusion: There is a need for further investigation and research and development efforts in this field to better understand the possibilities of intervention in mental health in the digital age.

Resumo

Objetivo: Este artigo objetiva revisar a literatura quanto ao uso das tecnologias como promotoras de saúde mental de gestantes. Desta forma, compreender quais são as estratégias utilizadas no cuidado da saúde mental dessas mulheres, assim como verificar se há evidências científicas que justifiquem a implementação dessas práticas.

Métodos: Este estudo segue o protocolo PRISMA para revisões sistemáticas de 27 estudos publicados em 2012-2019, incluindo publicações em português, inglês e espanhol.

Resultados: Os resultados revelaram diferentes possibilidades de utilização da tecnologia, sendo o uso de mensagens de texto e de aplicativos em smartphones mais os utilizados (22,5%). No que se refere às ferramentas utilizadas, estratégias cognitivo-comportamentais, tais como verificação do humor, exercícios de relaxamento e psicoeducação compreenderam 44,12% do conteúdo.

Conclusão: Verifica-se a necessidade de mais investimentos nessa área para que se possa compreender as possibilidades de intervenção em saúde mental na era digital.

Keywords

Pregnancy - Telemedicine - Mental health - Prenatal care - Pregnancy complications

Palavras-chave

Gravidez - Telemedicina - Saúde mental - Cuidado pré-natal - Complicações da gravidez

Publication History

Received: 06 June 2022

Accepted: 10 January 2023

Article published online:
27 April 2023

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