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Mindfulness-based intervention for clinical and subthreshold perinatal depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial.

Comprehensive psychiatry
April 1, 2023
Ling Li Leng et al. (3 authors)
Meta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
PregnancyFemaleHumansMindfulnessDepressionAnxietyAnxiety DisordersDepressive DisorderRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations20
Citations/Year10.0
Relative Citation Ratio7.52
NIH Percentile96.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score3.20
Normalized Score0.72
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