Effect of technology-supported mindfulness-based interventions for maternal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis with implementation perspectives for resource-limited settings.
Bekelu Teka Worku, Misra Abdulahi, Demissew Amenu, Bruno Bonnechère
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth February 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-025-07286-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review with meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,481 |
| Population | Pregnant and postpartum women with maternal depression |
| Intervention | technology-supported mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Maternal depression Meta-analysis Mindfulness-based interventions Perinatal depression Postpartum depression Prenatal depression Systematic review Technology |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key findings | Technology-supported mindfulness-based interventions had a positive effect on maternal depression, with a standardized mean difference of -0.55. |
Abstract
Maternal depression is pregnancy and childbirth-related depression during pregnancy (prenatal depression (PND)) or after delivery (postpartum depression (PPD)). It is a recognized global public health concern with extensive repercussions adversely affecting women's well-being and the developmental progress of infants. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to be effective in maternal depression. Technology-supported MBI could be an effective preventive strategy for maternal depression, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where lack of important resources limits the accessibility to standard care. However, the limited available studies assessing the effect of technology-supported MBIs for maternal depression might be insufficient to reach a definitive conclusion. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the pooled estimated effect of technology-supported MBIs for maternal depression, identify available studies, and reveal applicable health technologies with MBIs. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA-P 2020 and the review protocol was registered in PROSPERO; CRD42024537853. The risk of bias was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The meta-analysis was done with R. Data from 18 articles, none from low-income countries (LICs), were included in the systematic review, representing 2,481 participants, 15 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size indicated that technology-supported MBIs had a positive effect on maternal depression (SMD - 0.55, 95% CI [- 0.70; -0.40], p < 0.001). The sub-group analysis showed that this intervention was effective in both PND (SMD = - 0.57, 95% CI [- 0.74; -0.39], p < 0.001) and PPD (SMD - 0.53, 95% CI [- 0.91; -0.15], p = 0.014). Integrating technology-supported MBIs into maternal care is recommended to enhance maternal mental health. However, the lack of trials in LMICs may limit the generalizability and external validity of this finding and it is crucial to conduct further research, in the area to tailor intervention and maximize its effectiveness. Context-specific trial studies are pivotal for successful program adoption.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Mindfulness for maternal health: A systematic umbrella review of effectiveness for addressing depression and anxiety symptoms Journal of Affective Disorders Reports October 11, 2026
- Analisis Efektivitas Mindfulness Breathing dengan Guided Imagery Dalam Menurunkan Kecemasan Ibu Post Sectio Caesarea Di RSUD I.A Moies Samarinda Health & Medical Sciences February 19, 2026
- Cost-effectiveness of virtual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on pregnancies at high risk of perinatal depression. Pregnancy May 2026
- AI-Supported Mindfulness Interventions Advances in Computational Intelligence and Robotics March 26, 2026
Cites 16
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- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Using an Electronic Mindfulness-based Intervention (eMBI) to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Research December 1, 2023
- The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Woman: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The journal of nursing research : JNR December 1, 2023
- Mindfulness-based randomized controlled trials led to brain structural changes: an anatomical likelihood meta-analysis. Scientific Reports October 27, 2023
and 11 more in the library