The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Stress, Depression and Anxiety During the Perinatal Period in Women Without Pre-existing Stress, Depressive or Anxiety Disorders: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Trials
Linda Corbally, Mick Wilkinson
Mindfulness October 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-021-01697-3 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve controlled trials found that mindfulness-based interventions produce small but clear increases in mindfulness and reductions in depression in women without pre-existing mental health issues during the perinatal period. Effects on stress and anxiety were unclear due to heterogeneity across studies. The findings suggest that such interventions may help prevent or lessen the development of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women during the perinatal period without pre-existing mental health issues |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based interventions cause small but clear increases in mindfulness and reductions in depression in women without pre-existing disorders during the perinatal period. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine controlled trial evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on stress, anxiety and depression in the perinatal period in women without pre-existing mental health issues. Methods Six databases were searched for studies exploring the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health outcomes of women during the perinatal period. Quality of both controlled trial meeting inclusion criteria were assessed using a tool specifically designed for meta-analyses of mindfulness-based interventions. Effect sizes were extracted for measures of mindfulness, depression, stress and anxiety outcomes. Effects were pooled in separate meta-analyses for all outcomes except anxiety which lacked sufficient studies. Results Twelve studies were analysed. Pooled effects suggest that mindfulness-based interventions cause small but clear increases in mindfulness and reductions in depression in women without pre-existing disorders. Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on other outcomes were unclear and confounded by heterogeneity. Conclusions Available controlled trial evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions improve mindfulness and decrease symptoms of depression during pregnancy in women without pre-existing mental health issues and might be a useful approach to prevent or attenuate the development of depression in the perinatal period.