Mindfulness for pregnancy: A randomised controlled study of online mindfulness during pregnancy.
Adele Krusche, Maret Dymond, Susannah E Murphy, Catherine Crane
Midwifery October 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.07.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 185 |
| Population | Expectant mothers |
| Intervention | Online mindfulness course |
| Duration | Four-week course; post-course and postnatal follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Pregnancy E-health |
| Key findings | Intention-to-treat analysis found no group difference in stress between the online mindfulness course and waitlist control from pre to post intervention. The authors report the course was potentially beneficial for women who completed it, but dropout was very high, indicating low completion rates for pregnant women in its current format. |
Abstract
Prenatal depression, stress and anxiety are significant predictors of postnatal depression and also have a direct negative impact on the family. Helpful psychological interventions during pregnancy are scarce and expensive, and usually only available for a small percentage of those suffering or deemed to be at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of an online mindfulness course for expectant mothers. A randomised study was conducted to explore differences between control and active participants allocated to take an online mindfulness course, offered free to research participants, or wait. The course provided was online and already available but given to study participants for free. Measures were also taken online using a secure site to collect the data. 185 mothers were recruited and randomised to the online course (n = 107) or a waitlist control (n = 78), with 72 completers at post-course (n = 22 active, n = 50 control) and 48 completers at postnatal follow-up (n = 16 active and n = 32 control). The online mindfulness course is available at www.bemindfulonline.com and comprises a four-week, condensed version of an eight-week mindfulness course, with videos and written instructions for guided meditation and other mindfulness-based exercises. A number of psychological well-being measurements were taken including stress, anxiety, depression and pregnancy-specific measure such as labour worry. Intention to treat analysis (baseline carried forwards) showed no group difference in stress from pre to post intervention or control. Results indicated that the course was potentially beneficial for those who completed it, but levels of drop out from the course were very high. Although outcomes for mothers completing the intervention were improved relative to a waitlist control, high rates of drop out indicate that the online course has low completion rates for pregnant women in its current format.
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 30
- Using an Electronic Mindfulness-based Intervention (eMBI) to improve maternal mental health during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry Research December 1, 2023
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders May 1, 2024
- The Effect of Digital Mindfulness Interventions on Depressive, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education September 1, 2023
- Evaluating the Impact of an App-Delivered Mindfulness Meditation Program to Reduce Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy: Pilot Longitudinal Study. JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting December 25, 2023
- Dispositional mindfulness profiles in pregnant women: relationships with dyadic adjustment and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
and 25 more in the library
Cites 7
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Perinatal Women with Depression or Bipolar Spectrum Disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research October 2015
- An open trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the prevention of perinatal depressive relapse/recurrence. Archives of women's mental health February 2015
- CALM Pregnancy: results of a pilot study of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for perinatal anxiety. Archives of women's mental health January 22, 2014
- Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Childbirth Education pilot study on maternal self-efficacy and fear of childbirth. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health December 10, 2013
- Randomised controlled pilot trial of mindfulness training for stress reduction during pregnancy. Psychology and Health November 1, 2013
and 2 more in the library