Evaluating the Impact of an App-Delivered Mindfulness Meditation Program to Reduce Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy: Pilot Longitudinal Study.
JMIR pediatrics and parenting December 25, 2023 Donna Balsam, Dawn T Bounds, Amir M Rahmani et al. 13 citations
Mindfulness meditation training via the Headspace app reduced stress and anxiety during pregnancy. In a month-long trial with 20 pregnant women, self-reported stress, anxiety, and pregnancy anxiety decreased significantly. One measure of heart rate variability, the low-frequency power band, dropped by 13%, indicating reduced physiological stress. 65% of participants reported improved sleep, and 95% said learning mindfulness helped other aspects of their lives. Retention was 100%, with half completing at least 95% of the intervention. The app appears to be an effective tool for reducing pregnancy-related stress and anxiety, offering a scalable alternative to in-person training.