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Are Mindfulness-Based Interventions as Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Complicated Perinatal Grief? A Systematic Review.

Journal of midwifery & women's health
March 1, 2022
Niamh Dolan et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in managing symptoms of complicated perinatal grief.

Results Summary

Both CBT and MBIs showed favorable reductions in perinatal grief symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress, but a direct comparison was limited due to study heterogeneity and small sample sizes.

Population

Bereaved parents experiencing perinatal grief (681 participants across 8 studies).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
perinatal grief symptoms
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#1
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
perinatal grief symptoms
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#2
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
depression
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#3
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
depression
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#4
cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
decrease
posttraumatic stress
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#5
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
posttraumatic stress
bereaved participants
-
produced favorable reductions
#6
MBIs
decrease
symptoms of complicated perinatal grief
-
-
can be effective in reducing
#7
CBT interventions
decrease
symptoms of complicated perinatal grief
-
-
can be effective in reducing
#8
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal loss can be a devastating experience for parents that can result in complicated grief symptoms that include depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Perinatal bereavement care pathways have been developed internationally within health care services; however, there is an apparent lack of recommendations and guidance on grief-focused interventions specifically for complicated perinatal grief. Studies have analyzed the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for perinatal grief, and more recent research has emerged on the use of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for perinatal grief symptoms. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and present the effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for perinatal grief, to report patient experiences of the interventions, and to determine which intervention can be more effective in managing symptoms of complicated perinatal grief. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted of 5 academic databases: PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Social Science, and ASSIA. No limits on publication date, language, or geographic location were set because of the paucity of research published on this subject. Quality appraisal was conducted for each included study. Findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement. RESULTS: This systematic review identified 8 eligible studies with a total of 681 bereaved participants. The results were examined for effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for grief; effectiveness of CBT and MBIs for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress; and participant experiences. Both interventions produced favorable reductions of perinatal grief symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress. However, a true comparison between the 2 interventions' effect on complicated perinatal grief symptoms could not be made because of the limited studies in this area and the heterogeneity of the included studies' methods and outcomes. DISCUSSION: Both MBIs and CBT interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms of complicated perinatal grief. The findings of this review are heavily weighted in quantitative outcome measurements. More qualitative research and randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed in this area of perinatal bereavement care.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Anxiety DisordersBereavementCognitive Behavioral TherapyFemaleGriefHumansMindfulnessPregnancy
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year2.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.66
NIH Percentile68.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.37
Normalized Score0.64
Related Supplements
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