Mindfulness-based intervention for clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the immediate post-intervention and maintenance effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) on perinatal depression and anxiety through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Results Summary
MBIs were superior to controls for reducing clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety, with stable benefits for depression reduction over time and into the postpartum period. Greater improvements in mindfulness correlated with larger post-intervention effects on depression, and effects were more pronounced in Low- and Middle-Income countries.
Population
Perinatal women (during pregnancy and within the first year postpartum).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBI | decrease | clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety | perinatal women | - | was superior to controls | #1 |
MBI | decrease | perinatal depression | perinatal women | - | The benefit for depression reduction was stable over time and sustained to the postpartum period | #2 |
MBI | no change | perinatal anxiety | perinatal women | - | the maintenance effect on perinatal anxiety was less conclusive | #3 |
MBI | neutral | perinatal depression and anxiety | perinatal women | - | post-intervention effects on depression and anxiety were moderated by perinatal women's symptom severity | #4 |
MBI | decrease | perinatal depression and anxiety | women in Low- and Middle-Income countries | - | The post intervention effects were significantly greater among women in Low- and Middle-Income countries | #5 |
Greater improvement in mindfulness | decrease | perinatal depression | perinatal women | - | was also associated with a significantly larger post-intervention effect | #6 |
OBJECTIVES: About one in four mothers will experience depression and anxiety during pregnancy and within their first year following childbirth. The meta-analysis aggregated the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the immediate post-intervention and maintenance effects of MBI on perinatal depression and anxiety. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language journal articles from the first available date until Oct 27th, 2022. RESULTS: Twenty-five published RCTs were identified and reviewed, with a total of 2495 perinatal women. MBI was superior to controls for clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety. The benefit for depression reduction was stable over time and sustained to the postpartum period, but the maintenance effect on perinatal anxiety was less conclusive. Moreover, MBI's post-intervention effects on depression and anxiety were moderated by perinatal women's symptom severity. The post intervention effects were significantly greater among women in Low- and Middle-Income countries, where perinatal mental health care is less available and accessible. Greater improvement in mindfulness was also associated with a significantly larger post-intervention effect on perinatal depression. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that MBIs may complement and extend the available range of effective interventions for clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety.