Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among women with fetal loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) significantly improve depression in women experiencing fetal loss, with a standardized mean difference of 1.01 across ten randomized controlled trials involving diverse participants. While MBIs also reduce anxiety symptoms, they are most effective for those without pre-existing anxiety, showing an effect size of 1.57. Short-term benefits were more pronounced than long-term effects, suggesting MBIs can be vital in psychosocial care for these women. This emphasizes the importance of tailored intervention strategies to enhance mental health outcomes following fetal loss.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown potential in reducing maternal negative emotions, but their effectiveness for women with fetal loss requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of MBIs on mental health outcomes among these women. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on MBIs for women with fetal loss were retrieved from eight databases, covering literature from inception to January 21, 2025. Outcomes included depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic growth. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 1.0, and meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4. Ten RCTs were included. MBIs significantly improve depression (SMD=1.01, 95 %CI (0.60,1.41), p 0.05). For anxiety symptoms, MBIs were effective only in women without symptoms (SMD=1.57, p 4 weeks, SMD=0.74, p < 0.01). There are few high-quality RCTs, small sample sizes, and a lack of long-term follow-up. MBIs effectively improve mental health in women with fetal loss, with short-duration effects exceeding long-duration ones. These findings support the integration of MBIs into psychosocial care, particularly for women with pre-existing psychological symptoms, and highlight the need to refine intervention strategies.

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