Piloting wearable neuromodulation for postnatal depression
The South London and Maudsley (SLaM) Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) Perinatal Mental Health Service is proud to announce the launch of an innovative pilot offering a new treatment pathway for women experiencing postnatal depression. As the second NHS MBU service to introduce this approach, the team is now providing access to the Flow Neuroscience headset, a wearable neuromodulation device designed to support recovery from depression.
Expanding treatment options for postnatal depression
Postnatal depression can be a deeply challenging experience, affecting not only mothers but also their babies and families. While effective treatments exist, there remains a need for flexible, accessible, and family-compatible options.
The introduction of the Flow headset pilot represents a significant step forward. This initiative offers women an additional, evidence-based treatment choice that can be tailored to their individual needs.
“The limitations in the perinatal period, particularly around breastfeeding considerations, mean we often need to tailor treatment very carefully. What’s exciting about this is that it adds an important option to our overall treatment repertoire, expanding what we can offer women. Given the prevalence and sometimes severity of postnatal depression as a clinical entity, it’s essential that we continue to ensure effective treatments are accessible within the NHS.”
“The limitations in the perinatal period, particularly around breastfeeding considerations, mean we often need to tailor treatment very carefully. What’s exciting about this is that it adds an important option to our overall treatment repertoire, expanding what we can offer women. Given the prevalence and sometimes severity of postnatal depression as a clinical entity, it’s essential that we continue to ensure effective treatments are accessible within the NHS.”
What is the Flow headset?
The Flow device is a Grade IIa medical device that delivers transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) – a non-invasive form of neuromodulation that gently stimulates areas of the brain associated with mood regulation.
The device has demonstrated proven efficacy in treating depression, either as a standalone (monotherapy) or as an adjunct to other treatments such as psychological therapies or medication.
Flow has been piloted in Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s community perinatal services and successfully demonstrated reduced depression symptoms, improved functioning, and increased health related quality of life for women experiencing depression post-pregnancy loss or postnatal depression. Now the device is being piloted in Norfolk and Suffolk as well as SLaM,
“It’s a pleasure and a privilege to support the SLaM MBU team in introducing Flow tDCS given the clear need for improved maternal mental health treatment options throughout primary and secondary care. SLaM is the second MBU in England to implement Flow, with the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Trust pilot having been well received by patients and staff and will soon report on outcomes.”
Dr Hannah Nearney, Consultant Psychiatrist and UK Medical Director of Flow Neuroscience
A patient centred approach
One of the key advantages of the Flow headset in a perinatal setting is its compatibility with the realities of new motherhood.
- Safe to use while breastfeeding
- Can reduce overall reliance on medication
- Designed for home use, supporting continuity of care after discharge.
This flexibility enables women to engage with treatment in a way that fits around caring for their baby, rather than requiring significant disruption to daily routines.
The SLaM pilot builds on growing momentum across the NHS to explore neuromodulation in perinatal settings and highlights increasing national interest in integrating innovative, non-invasive treatments into maternal mental healthcare.
What’s next?
As the pilot progresses, the team will continue to evaluate its impact, with a focus on clinical outcomes, patient experience, and feasibility within routine care.
The hope is that this initiative will contribute to a broader shift where innovative, patient-friendly technologies become a standard part of perinatal mental health services across the NHS.
For more information about the pilot or the Flow headset, please contact Dr Hannah Nearney via the Flow innovation page.
