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 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 460 |
| Population | Pregnant women with elevated depressive symptoms (EPDS > 9) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, follow-up to 5 months postpartum |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Anxiety- birth-related anxiety Digital health Internet-based treatment Intervention Pregnancy |
| Citations | 32 |
| Key findings | 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.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Effect of technology-supported mindfulness-based interventions for maternal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis with implementation perspectives for resource-limited settings. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth February 13, 2025
- The effectiveness of mHealth mindfulness interventions on perinatal psychological health: a systematic review. Oxford open digital health 2025
- Mindfulness for maternal health: A systematic umbrella review of effectiveness for addressing depression and anxiety symptoms Journal of Affective Disorders Reports October 11, 2026
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health among women with fetal loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Midwifery July 15, 2025
- Digital Mindfulness Intervention for Pregnant Women With Affective Disorders and Acute Stress Reactions: Prespecified Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research September 2, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 12
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Improving Subjective Well-Being Among Healthy Individuals: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Research Protocols February 22, 2021
- Effects of a Brief Electronic Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Relieving Prenatal Depression and Anxiety in Hospitalized High-Risk Pregnant Women: Exploratory Pilot Study Journal of Medical Internet Research August 1, 2020
- Mindfulness for pregnancy: A randomised controlled study of online mindfulness during pregnancy. Midwifery October 2018
- Benefits of preparing for childbirth with mindfulness training: a randomized controlled trial with active comparison BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth August 14, 2018
and 7 more in the library