Using an Electronic Mindfulness-based Intervention (eMBI) to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial.
Kathrin Hassdenteufel, Mitho Müller, Harald Abele, Sara Yvonne Brucker, Johanna Graf, Stephan Zipfel, Armin Bauer, Peter Jakubowski, Jan Pauluschke-Fröhlich, Markus Wallwiener, Stephanie Wallwiener
Psychiatry research December 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115599 via PubMed
Summary
A supervised internet-based mindfulness program during late pregnancy did not reduce general depression or anxiety symptoms, but it did lower pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety and reduced the rate of women at risk for postpartum mental health problems six weeks after birth. Mindfulness scores also improved. The trial screened over 5,000 pregnant women, enrolled 460 who had elevated depressive symptoms, and randomly assigned them to the eight-week digital mindfulness intervention or a control group. The program, delivered between weeks 29 and 36 of pregnancy, showed no significant effect on overall depressive or anxiety symptoms, but positive effects emerged for pregnancy-specific worries and postpartum depression prevention.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 460 |
| Population | Pregnant women with elevated depressive symptoms (EPDS > 9) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Anxiety- birth-related anxiety Digital health Internet-based treatment Intervention |
| Citations | 32 |
| Key finding | The eMBI did not reduce general depressive or anxiety symptoms but significantly decreased pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety and lowered the risk of adverse mental outcomes postpartum. |
Abstract
Prevalence rates of peripartum depression and anxiety are high and correlate with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to reduce mental distress during pregnancy. A multicenter, randomized controlled study was conducted after screening for depressive symptoms. The intervention group (IG) was given access to an 8-week supervised eMBI between weeks 29 and 36 of pregnancy and followed up to 5 months postpartum. Psychometric data were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ-R), the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI-14) as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Out of 5299 pregnant women, 1153 scored >9 on the EPDS and N = 460 were included in the RCT. No significant interaction effects for depressive symptoms and anxiety were found. Pregnancy- and birth-related anxiety decreased significantly in the IG and 6 weeks after birth, the rate of women at risk for adverse mental outcome was significantly lower compared to the CG. Mindfulness scores improved significantly in the IG. The eMBI program did not show effective regarding general depressive or anxiety symptoms, however, positive results were demonstrated regarding pregnancy and birth-related anxiety and the prevention of postpartum depression.