An open trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for the prevention of perinatal depressive relapse/recurrence.
Sona Dimidjian, Sherryl H Goodman, Jennifer N. Felder, Robert Gallop, Amanda P Brown, Arne Beck
Archives of women's mental health February 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-014-0468-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm feasibility study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | Pregnant women with histories of depression recruited from obstetrics clinics at two sites of a large health maintenance organization |
| Duration | Through 6-months postpartum |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | MBCT-PD was associated with significant improvement in depressive symptom levels and an 18% rate of relapse/recurrence through 6 months postpartum among pregnant women with depression histories. The authors conclude the program shows promise as an acceptable, feasible, and clinically beneficial brief psychosocial prevention option, and that randomized controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy. |
Abstract
Pregnant women with histories of depression are at high risk of depressive relapse/recurrence during the perinatal period, and options for relapse/recurrence prevention are limited. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has strong evidence among general populations but has not been studied among at-risk pregnant women to prevent depression. We examined the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of depression symptom severity and relapse/recurrence associated with MBCT adapted for perinatal women (MBCT-PD). Pregnant women with depression histories were recruited from obstetrics clinics in a large health maintenance organization at two sites and enrolled in MBCT-PD (N = 49). Self-reported depressive symptoms and interview-based assessments of depression relapse/recurrence status were measured at baseline, during MBCT-PD, and through 6-months postpartum. Pregnant women reported interest, engagement, and satisfaction with the program. Retention rates were high, as were rates of completion of daily homework practices. Intent to treat analyses indicated a significant improvement in depression symptom levels and an 18 % rate of relapse/recurrence through 6 months postpartum. MBCT-PD shows promise as an acceptable, feasible, and clinically beneficial brief psychosocial prevention option for pregnant women with histories of depression. Randomized controlled trials are needed to examine the efficacy of MBCT-PD for the prevention of depressive relapse/recurrence during pregnancy and postpartum.
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 23
- Perinatal Understanding of Mindful Awareness for Sleep (PUMAS): A single-arm proof-of-concept clinical trial of a mindfulness-based intervention for DSM-5 insomnia disorder during pregnancy. Sleep Medicine August 1, 2023
- Development and Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Intervention for Perinatal Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research January 17, 2025
- Efficacy of online mindfulness for the treatment of insomnia in pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One 2025
- Enhancing Prenatal Group Medical Visits with Mindfulness Skills: A Pragmatic Trial with Latina and BIPOC Pregnant Women Experiencing Multiple Forms of Structural Inequity. Mindfulness December 1, 2024
- Perceptions of mindfulness to pregnant women with gestational diabetes: an exploratory qualitative Portuguese study. Frontiers in Global Women's Health September 11, 2025
and 18 more in the library
Cites 17
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Metacognitive awareness and prevention of relapse in depression: Empirical evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2002
- A Model of Mindful Parenting: Implications for Parent–Child Relationships and Prevention Research Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review May 2, 2009
- Cultivating mindfulness: effects on well‐being Journal of Clinical Psychology May 16, 2008
and 12 more in the library