Center M Pilot Trial: Integrating Preventive Mental Health Care in Routine Prenatal Care.
Journal of midwifery & women's health January 1, 2024 Ellen L Tilden, Taylor Shank, Catherine Polan Orzech et al.
A brief group telehealth mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention called Center M, adapted from a longer program for perinatal depression, showed preliminary feasibility and acceptability among 99 pregnant people. Depressive symptoms decreased from before to after the four weekly sessions, and mindfulness capacity increased from before the intervention to six weeks postpartum. Higher mindfulness at six weeks postpartum predicted fewer depressive symptoms at that time point, and reduced maladaptive emotion regulation was linked to lower depression. Qualitative feedback indicated high satisfaction. The authors suggest Center M may be effective but note that further research is needed to confirm these findings and address implementation.