feasibility and acceptability of internet-based emotion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy in women with suspected fetal anomalies: a quasi-experimental study

Background: there is a notable lack of empirical validation regarding the use of internet-based emotion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (iecbt) for counseling pregnant women. objectives: this study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of iecbt in counseling women with suspected fetal anomalies.methods: in a quasi-experimental study, 130 pregnant women diagnosed with anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to either iecbt with spousal participation (65 participants) or iecbt alone (65 participants). all participants completed three pregnancy-specific stress questionnaires—the nupdq, spielberger state anxiety inventory, and edinburgh depression scale—both before and immediately after the intervention. results: within-group analyses indicated that both counseling methods, with and without spousal involvement, led to significant reductions in pregnancy-specific stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms by the end of the intervention (p < 0.001). between-group comparisons revealed that iecbt with spousal participation significantly reduced pregnancy-specific stress (effect size = 0.055, p = 0.007) and depressive symptoms (effect size = 0.480, p < 0.001) compared to iecbt without spousal involvement. however, neither intervention produced a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms (effect size = 0.001, p = 0.787). conclusions: both iecbt approaches (with and without spousal participation) are feasible, reliable, and effective methods for alleviating depression and stress symptoms in pregnant women with suspected fetal anomalies.