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Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on prenatal stress, anxiety and depression.

Jia-Yuan Zhang, Yu-Xia Cui, Yu-Qiu Zhou, Ying-Li Li

Psychology, Health & Medicine January 2019 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1468028 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 66
Population Chinese pregnant women
Intervention Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Duration 8-week intervention
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Keywords Mindfulness-based stress reduction Pregnancy Prenatal stress
Key findings MBSR produced significant time-by-group interactions for prenatal stress (F=45.51, p<0.001, η2=0.427) and anxiety (F=19.30, p<0.001, η2=0.240), but not for depression (F=0.29, p=0.589, η2=0.005). The authors suggest the absent depression effect may be due to participants' low depression levels and describe the evidence as preliminary.

Abstract

Low well-being is common among Chinese pregnant women but few effective interventions currently exist to improve prenatal stress and negative emotions. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been proved to be effective in reducing stress and rarely studies were focused on Chinese pregnant women. The aim of the current paper is to investigate the effects of 8-week MBSR on prenatal stress, anxiety and depression among Chinese pregnant women. A sample of 66 pregnant women randomly allocated into either the MBSR group (n=34) or the control group (n=32). Participants in the MBSR group received a group 8-week, 90-min each time intervention. The results found a significant interaction between time and condition for prenatal stress (F=45.51, p<0.001, η 2=0.427), anxiety (F=19.30, p<0.001, η 2=0.240), while depression showed no time-by-group interaction (F=0.29, p=0.589, η 2=0.005). As for the sub-scale of state anxiety, while there was only no time effect (F=3.68, p=0.060, η 2=0.057). The findings of this study preliminary indicated effects of the MBSR intervention on self-reported prenatal stress and anxiety in comparison to a treatment-as-usual control. Effect on depression was not observed may due to the low level of depression of participants. This study provides preliminary evidence that MBSR is suitable for Chinese pregnant women and be effective in decreasing prenatal stress, anxiety.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12

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