Complimentary and Alternative Approaches to Perinatal Mental Illness

1. Complimentary and Alternative Approaches to Perinatal Mental Illness Dena Whitesell, MD April 29, 2011

2. Importance of Treatment • Therapeutic relationship • Traditional medications …but what about women who want a different approach, or for whom the traditional approach hasn’t worked?

3. Alternative Methods • Omega-3 fatty acids • St. John’s wort • Acupuncture • Massage • Light therapy

4. Omega-3 fatty acids • Best evidence of any alternative treatment • Two types well studied: • EPA– eicosapentaenoic acid • DHA—docosahexaenoic acid • Meta-analyses show benefit of supplements over placebo as ADJUNCTIVE therapy for both unipolar and bipolar depression (Parket et al., 2006; Freeman et al, 2006; Su et al., 2006; Nemets et al., 2007)

5. Omega-3 fatty acids • Depletion is common during pregnancy • Selectively transferred to the fetus for brain and retinal development • Intake of omega-3 fatty acids by pregnant and lactating women in US is only 20-60% of the recommended amounts (Otto et al., 1997; Holman et al., 1991; Al et al., 1995; Hornstra et al., 1995, Min et al., 2000; Benisek et al., 2000)

6. Omega-3 fatty acids • US FDA mercury advisories for pregnant women—2003 • Avoid tilefish, swordfish, shark, king mackerel • Limit other fish intake to 12 oz/week • Main concern is CNS teratogenicity  Women hear “Don’t eat fish!” • We know fish intake in pregnant women has fallen significantly since this advisory • We also know higher fish intake during pregnancy has been associated with better infant cognitive function (Oken et al., 2005; Helland et al., 2003)

7. Omega-3 fatty acids Freeman, et al., Omega-3 fatty acids and supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: A randomized placebo-controlled study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2008. • n = 59, 8 week trial • Both pregnant and post-partum women • Randomized to 1.9 g. of EPA/DHA or placebo • All received manualized supportive psychotherapy • Omega 3 fatty acids well tolerated • BOTH groups had significant decrease in EPDS and HAM-D scores (p < 0.0001) but no significant difference between the groups

8. Omega-3 fatty acids

9. Omega-3 fatty acids Fish Oil Use in Pregnancy Didn’t Make Babies Smart Makrides et al., Effect of DHA Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal Depression and Neurodevelopment of Young Children. JAMA, Oct. 2010. • DHA supplementation during pregnancy • No clear cognitive benefit to babies • No evidence that DHA can reduce postpartum depression (maybe for women already at risk for it)

10. Omega-3 fatty acids • Considerable evidence for use as an add-on to more traditional medications • Potentially beneficial as monotherapy in pregnancy/postpartum– maybe more so at higher doses, higher EPA: DHA ratios • May have cognitive benefit for baby (combination EPA/DHA) • Low risk!

11. St. John’s wort • Hypericum perforatum • Conflicting evidence for use in treatment of mild to moderate depression • N = 49, no increased rate of birth defects • N = 33, neonatal syndrome • Increased rates of colic, drowsiness, lethargy in exposed infants • Breastfeeding case reports • Low levels in breastmilk • Undetectable levels in infant plasma (Lee et al., 2003; Klein et al., 2002; Klein et al., 2006 Dugoua et al., 2006)

12. St. John’s wort • Animal studies: • Increased uterine muscle tone, ? Implications • Increased rates of miscarriage • Overall: • Potential risks, drug-drug interactions • Natural does not mean better/safer– antidepressants have been much better studied (Dugoua, et al., 2006; Moretti et al., 2009)

13. Acupuncture • Mixed results as a treatment for depression in the general population • Difficult to study because difficult to control

14. Acupuncture Studies by Manber et al., 2004 and 2010 • Both studies had three groups: • acupuncture for depression • “sham” acupuncture, needles in different places • massage therapy • 2004 study, n = 61 • Acupuncture for depression response 69% • “sham” acupuncture response 47% • Massage response 32% • 2010 study, n = 150, more rigorous, defined response as > 50% reduction in HAM-D score • Acupuncture for depression response 63% • Massage response 50% • “sham” acupuncture response 37.5%

15. Massage Therapy • Very limited data in the literature specifically for mental health treatment • Depressive symptoms, when measured, often decrease in studies using massage for other indications • Meta-analysis of 17 studies showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to control conditions • Studies vary regarding number of sessions • Studies vary in terms of controls, including no control, relaxation exercises, treatment as usual (Hou et al., 2010)

16. Massage Therapy Field et al., Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2009 • Randomized study, n = 112 • Pregnant women with diagnosis of depression • Compared interpersonal therapy (group format) to interpersonal therapy plus massage • Depressive symptoms measured by Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) • Women in massage group: • Had significantly greater improvements on depression AND anxiety measures • Had more study completers • Attended more sessions of the interpersonal therapy

17. Massage Therapy Field et al., Infant Behavior and Development, 2009. Pregnant women with depression, n = 88 Randomized to receive 2x week massage from partner (after training) vs. treatment as usual, weeks 20-32 of pregnancy • Massage group had: • Greater decrease in depression scores • Lower rates of low birth weight and prematurity • Infants had lower saliva cortisol levels • Infants scored higher on Brazelton Neonatal behavioral Assessment Scales

18. Massage Therapy Manber et al., 2010 • Strong study: • Verified diagnosis of major depression, minimum HAM-D score • Blinded raters • Standardized Swedish massage • Response rate (> 50% reduction of HAM-D) = 50% • Remission rate (HAM-D < 7) 31% Unclear mechanism of action • Increased parasympathetic activity  decreased stress hormones, BP, HR • Increasing serotonin availability • Increasing oxytocin production

19. Light Therapy • Has benefit in major depressive disorder, both seasonal and non-seasonal • Risk of switching into hypomania or mania • Very few, small, open trials for treatment of depression in therapy with light therapy • Though promising

20. Light Therapy Wirz-Justice et al., 2011 • Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for pregnant women • 7000 lux fluorescent bright white light vs. 70 lux dim red light • Depressive symptoms measured via Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, with Atypical Depression Supplement • Response rates: • Bright light: 81% • Placebo light 45%

21. Take Home Messages • Continue antidepressants when you can • When you can’t, or the patient needs adjunctive therapy, consider: • Omega-3 fatty acids • Acupuncture • Massage therapy • Light therapy • Have a “menu of reasonable options” for your patients

22. MAPP PPD Project • Provider education • Consumer education • Collaboration • Consultation www.mainepsych.org