The effect of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on mental health, maternal bonding and birth outcomes in psychosocially vulnerable pregnant women: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies October 14, 2023 S Skovbjerg, A Sumbundu, M Kolls et al. 11 citations
Pregnant women with a preconception history of mental disorders or psychosocial vulnerabilities are at increased risk of perinatal stress and mental health problems. This protocol describes a randomized trial testing an adapted Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program added to usual care versus usual care alone in 240 such women recruited from a Danish hospital. The primary outcome is mental wellbeing nine months after randomization; secondary outcomes include stress, anxiety, depression, and childbirth experiences. Mindfulness and self-compassion will be examined as possible mediators. The authors suggest MBSR could offer a non-pharmacological approach to improve mental health and reduce stress during pregnancy.