The effect of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on maternal anxiety and self‐efficacy: A randomized controlled trial
Masoomeh Zarenejad, Mansooreh Yazdkhasti, Mitra Rahimzadeh, Zahra Mehdizadeh Tourzani, Sara Esmaelzadeh‐Saeieh
Brain and Behavior April 23, 2020 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1561 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial assigned 70 pregnant women to either a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group or a control group receiving routine care. The intervention group attended six MBSR sessions. Anxiety scores decreased significantly over time in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, self-efficacy in coping with childbirth did not differ significantly between the two groups. The authors conclude that mindfulness training can reduce anxiety during pregnancy and recommend that healthcare providers and pregnant women learn such programs.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | Pregnant women in Abyek, Qazvin province, Iran |
| Dose | 6 sessions |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Self‐efficacy Stress |
| Key finding | MBSR reduced anxiety scores in pregnant women but did not significantly affect self-efficacy in coping with childbirth. |
Abstract
Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to assess the effect of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) on anxiety and self‐efficacy in coping with childbirth. Material and Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women in Abyek city of Qazvin province in Iran. The convenient sampling method was recruited. Samples were assigned to control and intervention groups using random blocks. In addition to routine care, individuals in the intervention group received 6 MBSR training sessions. The data gathering questionnaire in this study included mindfulness, Pregnancy‐Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and self‐efficacy in coping with childbirth questionnaire. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the demographic characteristics in the control and intervention groups. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures indicated the effect of time on the change in the total score of anxiety in the intervention group (p = .001). There was a significant difference between the two groups (p = .001). Also, the results of ANOVA with repeated measures showed that time had no impact on the score of self‐efficacy in delivery coping (p = 0/1) and that there was no significant difference between the two groups in this respect (p = .6). Conclusion The result of this study showed that mindfulness reduces anxiety of pregnant mothers, and it is suggested that mindfulness programs be educated for healthcare providers and pregnant mothers to reduce maternal anxiety and improve pregnancy outcomes and delivery.