Meditation and mindfulness reduce perceived stress in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 7-week meditation and mindfulness program, combined with standard supportive care, could reduce perceived stress more effectively than standard supportive care alone in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
Results Summary
The study found that perceived stress decreased significantly in both the intervention and control groups after 7 weeks, with a larger reduction in the intervention group. At the 12-month follow-up, stress levels remained significantly lower than baseline in both groups.
Population
Women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).
Effective Dosage
7-week daily at-home meditation and mindfulness program combined with group sessions.
Duration
7 weeks (with 12-month follow-up).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7-week meditation and mindfulness programme with additional standard supportive care | decrease | perceived stress | women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) | - | decreased significantly | #1 |
standard supportive care only | decrease | perceived stress | women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) | - | decreased significantly | #2 |
7-week meditation and mindfulness programme with additional standard supportive care | decrease | perceived stress | women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) | - | decrease was significantly larger | #3 |
7-week meditation and mindfulness programme with additional standard supportive care | decrease | perceived stress | women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) | - | was still significantly decreased | #4 |
standard supportive care only | decrease | perceived stress | women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) | - | was still significantly decreased | #5 |
7-week daily at-home meditation and mindfulness programme combined with group sessions | decrease | perceived stress | women with RPL | - | reduced significantly more | #6 |
RESEARCH QUESTION: Can participating in a tailored 7-week meditation and mindfulness programme with additional standard supportive care versus standard supportive care only reduce perceived stress for women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)? DESIGN: A two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 12-month follow-up. In total 76 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either standard supportive care or to a 7-week meditation and mindfulness programme led by an instructor in addition to standard supportive care. RESULTS: At intervention completion (after 7 weeks), perceived stress decreased significantly both in the intervention group (P = 0.001) and in the control group (P = 0.006). The decrease in perceived stress in the intervention group was significantly larger (P = 0.027) compared with the control group. At the 12-month follow-up perceived stress was still significantly decreased in both groups compared with baseline (P < 0.0001 in the intervention group and P = 0.002 in the control group). CONCLUSION: This first RCT of a tailored meditation and mindfulness intervention for women with RPL documents that a 7-week daily at-home meditation and mindfulness programme combined with group sessions reduced perceived stress significantly more than a standard supportive care programme. Future studies should address the most effective format and the 'dose' needed for an impact on perceived stress levels.