Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Pregnancy and Sleep Quality: Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Anna MacKinnon, Ivan Sedov, Katherine Silang, Jeshna Kumari, Gerald F. Giesbrecht, Tavis S. Campbell, Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen
PsyArXiv May 17, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/er7p6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Community sample of pregnant individuals self-identifying as experiencing high levels of psychological distress |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Perinatal Depression (MBCT-PD) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, with follow-up at 3 months postpartum |
| Measures | sleep quality questionnaire, sleep diary, actigraphy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT-PD was associated with improved overall sleep quality across time, moderated by baseline sleep, so participants with worse initial sleep who received treatment showed greater improvement from post-intervention to 3-month postpartum follow-up. Diary-assessed sleep efficiency improved significantly with MBCT-PD, but no other differential changes appeared in diary or actigraphy parameters. |
Abstract
Poor sleep quality during pregnancy is prevalent, commonly persists into the postpartum period, and has been associated with poor maternal and child outcomes including risk of preterm birth and postpartum depression. Pregnant individuals are hesitant to take medication leaving many without evidence-based treatments for sleep problems. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve sleep in adults, but their impact on sleep in pregnancy has rarely been investigated. The current investigation comprises secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an 8-week modified Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Perinatal Depression (MBCT-PD) group intervention for pregnant individuals experiencing psychological distress. A community sample of pregnant individuals who self-identified as experiencing high levels of psychological distress were randomized to MBCT-PD (n=28) or treatment as usual (n=32) conditions. Assessments comprised a sleep quality questionnaire, a sleep diary and actigraphy, at enrolment, post- intervention, and follow-up at 3 months postpartum. Multilevel modeling revealed a significant effect of MBCT-PD on overall sleep quality across time moderated by baseline levels, such that participants with initial worse sleep quality who received treatment had greater improvement from post intervention to follow-up. Sleep efficiency assessed by diary improved significantly among those who received MBCT-PD, but no other differential changes were observed in diary or actigraphy parameters. Among pregnant individuals with high levels of psychological distress, training in mindfulness was associated with secondary benefits for sleep. Further research is warranted to examine what MBCT-PD components are necessary and could be tailored to address sleep problems during pregnancy.
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
Cites 14
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Treating Chronic Pain A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Psychology, Health & Medicine November 26, 2020
- Dismantling Mindfulness-Based Programs: A Systematic Review to Identify Active Components of Treatment. Mindfulness July 25, 2020
- Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Generalised Anxiety Disorder: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. East Asian Archives of Psychiatry June 1, 2020
- The Efficacy of Adapted MBCT on Core Symptoms and Executive Functioning in Adults With ADHD: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Attention Disorders February 2019
and 9 more in the library