Mindfulness for pregnancy: A randomised controlled study of online mindfulness during pregnancy.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of an online mindfulness course for expectant mothers in reducing prenatal stress, anxiety, and depression.
Results Summary
The study found that the online mindfulness course showed potential benefits for those who completed it, but dropout rates were very high. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant group differences in stress levels from pre to post-intervention.
Population
Expectant mothers (185 recruited, 72 post-course completers, 48 postnatal follow-up completers).
Effective Dosage
Four-week condensed version of an eight-week mindfulness course, with videos and written instructions for guided meditation and exercises.
Duration
Four weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
online mindfulness course | no change | stress | expectant mothers | no significant change | showed no group difference | #1 |
online mindfulness course | increase | psychological well-being | expectant mothers who completed it | - | potentially beneficial | #2 |
online mindfulness course | increase | outcomes | mothers completing the intervention | - | improved relative to a waitlist control | #3 |
online mindfulness course | decrease | completion rates | pregnant women | very high | high rates of drop out | #4 |
OBJECTIVE: 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. DESIGN: 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. SETTING: 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. PARTICIPANTS: 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). INTERVENTION: 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. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: 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. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the course was potentially beneficial for those who completed it, but levels of drop out from the course were very high. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: 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.