Randomised controlled pilot trial of mindfulness training for stress reduction during pregnancy.
Christine M Guardino, Christine Dunkel Schetter, Julienne E Bower, Michael C Lu, Susan L. Smalley
Psychology and Health November 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2013.852670 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | Pregnant women between 10 and 25 weeks gestation experiencing high levels of perceived stress and pregnancy anxiety |
| Duration | Six-week intervention with follow-up at six weeks post-intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Treatment outcome Follow-up studies Pilot projects Stress, psychological Pregnancy Adult Female Pregnant people |
| Key findings | Participants in the mindfulness intervention showed larger pre-to-post decreases in pregnancy-specific anxiety and pregnancy-related anxiety than the reading control group, but these effects were not sustained at six weeks post-intervention. Both groups experienced increased mindfulness and decreased perceived stress and state anxiety over the intervention and follow-up periods. The authors suggest mindfulness training during pregnancy may effectively reduce pregnancy-related anxiety and worry. |
Abstract
This randomised controlled pilot trial tested a six-week mindfulness-based intervention in a sample of pregnant women experiencing high levels of perceived stress and pregnancy anxiety. Forty-seven women enrolled between 10 and 25 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to either a series of weekly Mindful Awareness Practices classes (n = 24) with home practice or to a reading control condition (n = 23). Hierarchical linear models of between-group differences in change over time demonstrated that participants in the mindfulness intervention experienced larger decreases from pre-to post-intervention in pregnancy-specific anxiety and pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) than participants in the reading control condition. However, these effects were not sustained through follow-up at six weeks post-intervention. Participants in both groups experienced increased mindfulness, as well as decreased perceived stress and state anxiety over the course of the intervention and follow-up periods. This study is one of the first randomised controlled pilot trials of a mindfulness meditation intervention during pregnancy and provides some evidence that mindfulness training during pregnancy may effectively reduce PRA and worry. We discuss some of the dilemmas in pursuing this translational strategy and offer suggestions for researchers interested in conducting mind-body interventions 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
Cited by 35
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- The mindful moms training: development of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce stress and overeating during pregnancy BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth June 1, 2018
- 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
- The Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Mental Health Outcomes in Pregnant Woman: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The journal of nursing research : JNR December 1, 2023
- Efficacy of online mindfulness for the treatment of insomnia in pregnancy: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One 2025
and 30 more in the library
Cites 10
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- What Do We Really Know About Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction? Psychosomatic Medicine 2002
- How long does a mindfulness‐based stress reduction program need to be? A review of class contact hours and effect sizes for psychological distress Journal of Clinical Psychology March 23, 2009
and 5 more in the library