The Impact of Mindfulness Treatment on Maternal Inflammation and Fetal Neurodevelopment Among Participants with Histories of Hypertensive Disorders.
Katherine G Unger, Laura Sanapo, Ghada Bourjeily, Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, Margaret H. Bublitz
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine January 2024 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0254 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Pregnant women |
| Intervention | Prenatal mindfulness training |
| Measures | neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), fetal head circumference percentage (HC%) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Head circumference Hypertension Inflammation Pregnancy |
| Registration | NCT03679117 |
| Key findings | Third-trimester neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly lower with prenatal mindfulness training than with treatment as usual (F = 7.11, p = 0.019). Higher NLR in the second (r = -0.644, p = 0.013) and third (r = -0.601, p = 0.030) trimesters was associated with lower fetal head circumference percentage, but there was no group difference in fetal head circumference. The authors state a fully powered study is needed to replicate these findings. |
Abstract
This was a secondary analysis of a prenatal mindfulness training (MT) RCT versus treatment as usual (TAU) on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a measure of maternal inflammation, and fetal head circumference. Fifteen participants were randomized to MT and 14 to TAU. NLR in third trimester was significantly lower in the MT group (F = 7.11, p = 0.019) relative to those in TAU. Higher NLR values in second (r = -0.644, p = 0.013) and third trimesters (r = -0.601, p = 0.030) were associated with lower fetal HC%. There was no group difference in fetal HC%. A future, fully powered study is needed to replicate these findings. Clinical Trials Number: NCT03679117.
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 4
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Phone-Delivered Mindfulness Training for Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Annals of Behavioral Medicine April 19, 2013
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions During Pregnancy: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Mindfulness December 1, 2017
- Mindfulness meditation and the immune system: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences January 21, 2016