Postpartum Outcomes and Formal Mindfulness Practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Perinatal Women
Christina M. Luberto, E. Park, Janice H Goodman
Mindfulness October 6, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-017-0825-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm pilot study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 23 |
| Population | Pregnant women with elevated anxiety (Mage = 33.5; 75% White; 71% with generalized anxiety disorder) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-month postpartum follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Improvements in anxiety, worry, mindfulness, and self-compassion were maintained 3 months postpartum, and reductions in depression further improved. |
Abstract
Anxiety is common during pregnancy and associated with poorer outcomes for mother and child. Our single-arm pilot study of an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) intervention for pregnant women with elevated anxiety showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in anxiety, depression, worry, mindfulness, and self-compassion. It remains unclear whether these improvements are maintained postpartum and whether amount of formal mindfulness practice is correlated with outcomes. The current study examined whether (1) improvements in psychosocial outcomes were maintained 3 months postpartum; (2) women were adherent to formal practice recommendations; and (3) amount of mindfulness practice was correlated with outcomes. Twenty-three pregnant women (Mage = 33.5, SD = 4.40; 75% White; 71% with generalized anxiety disorder) completed home practice logs throughout the intervention, and self-report measures before and after the intervention and 3 months postpartum. Results indicated that previously reported post-intervention improvements in anxiety, worry, mindfulness, and self-compassion were maintained postpartum (p’s < .05), and reductions in depression further improved (p < .001). Participants were generally adherent to mindfulness practice recommendations during the intervention (54–80% weekly adherence; M = 17.31 total practice hours [SD = 7.45]), and many continued practicing 1 week post-intervention (91%) and postpartum (55%). Mindfulness practice during the intervention was not significantly correlated with any outcome at post-intervention or postpartum. Mindfulness practice postpartum was only marginally related to improved worry postpartum (p = .05). MBCT may be associated with maintained improvements in psychosocial outcomes for women during pregnancy and postpartum, but the role of mindfulness practice is unclear. Research using larger samples and randomized controlled designs is needed.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Iranian Journal of Public Health December 1, 2023
- Effect of mindfulness group therapy on maternal psychological distress and perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders During the Postpartum Period: A 4-Week Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol Brain Sciences January 13, 2026
- Mindfulness for maternal health: A systematic umbrella review of effectiveness for addressing depression and anxiety symptoms Journal of Affective Disorders Reports October 11, 2026
- Bilinçli Farkındalık (Mindfulness) ve Perinatal Ruh Sağlığı: Bir Sistematik Derleme Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi February 5, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 20
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
and 15 more in the library