Melodies for Mums to Be: Community Group Singing Intervention for Pregnant Women With Antenatal Depressive Symptoms

Group singing may offer an accessible, non-clinical way to support mental health during pregnancy, providing a friendly, non-judgemental space in which to meet others and take part in a shared activity. This study builds on research from the Melodies for Mums programme, which showed that community group singing reduced symptoms of depression and improved the relationship between mothers and their babies after birth. This study aims to investigate whether a similar programme, Melodies for Mums to Be, delivered during pregnancy, can reduce symptoms of depression, improve mood and wellbeing, and support the relationship between expectant mothers and their unborn babies. The study is funded by the Psychiatry Research Trust and delivered by King's College London in partnership with Breathe Arts Health Research.

Fifty expectant mothers aged 18 or over who are experiencing symptoms of low mood (a score of 10 or above on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) will be recruited from across London from 16 weeks' gestation. Participants will be randomly allocated either to attend a six-week group singing programme during pregnancy or to receive the same programme after the birth of their baby, ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to take part. Sessions will last approximately 60 minutes, be held weekly at community cultural venues across London, and be led by trained facilitators. No musical experience is needed.

Participants will complete questionnaires and interviews before, during, and after the programme, and at approximately 8 weeks, 7 months, and 12 months after giving birth. The main outcome is the change in depressive symptoms over the six-week programme period, compared between the two groups. Participants who consent will also provide saliva and blood samples to help understand whether singing during pregnancy is associated with changes in biological markers of stress and bonding.