Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Cardiometabolic-Related Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes linked to future cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease risk.
Results Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions were largely effective at reducing prenatal stress but had mixed effects on pregnancy complications. Significant improvements were noted in gestational diabetes-related outcomes, while results were inconclusive for preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age newborns, and preeclampsia.
Population
Pregnant individuals at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | psychological stress in pregnancy | pregnant individuals | - | positively affect | #1 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | stress | pregnant individuals | - | reduce | #2 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | prenatal stress | pregnant individuals | - | largely effective at reducing | #3 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | pregnancy complications | pregnant individuals | - | mixed concerning their impact on | #4 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | blood glucose levels | pregnant individuals | - | significant improvements in | #5 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | hemoglobin A1c | pregnant individuals | - | significant improvements in | #6 |
mindfulness-based interventions | increase | oral glucose tolerance | pregnant individuals | - | significant improvements in | #7 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | preterm birth | pregnant individuals | - | mixed or inconclusive related to the effects on the incidence of | #8 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | birth of a small-for-gestational-age newborn | pregnant individuals | - | mixed or inconclusive related to the effects on the incidence of | #9 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | preeclampsia | pregnant individuals | - | mixed or inconclusive related to the effects on the incidence of | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests maternal stress contributes to the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes that are associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk in birthing persons. Mindfulness-based interventions may positively affect psychological stress in pregnancy and, in turn, reduce stress. However, few study authors have examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on adverse pregnancy outcomes that heighten cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to appraise available literature examining the effects of mindfulness-based interventions delivered during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with future cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease risk. METHODS: In this systematic review, multiple electronic databases were searched using major keywords, including "mindfulness-based intervention," "pregnancy," "preterm delivery," "gestational diabetes," "small for gestational age," "preeclampsia," and "hypertension in pregnancy" during February 2023. RESULTS: Six studies using mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy were included. The review indicated that these interventions were largely effective at reducing prenatal stress; however, the overall effects of interventions were mixed concerning their impact on pregnancy complications. Study authors examining the effects on gestational diabetes-related outcomes reported significant improvements in blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A 1c , and oral glucose tolerance. Outcomes were mixed or inconclusive related to the effects of interventions on the incidence of preterm birth, birth of a small-for-gestational-age newborn, and preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Mitigating cardiovascular and cardiometabolic risk-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes through mindfulness-based approaches may represent an emerging field of study. The few studies and limited, mixed findings synthesized in this review indicate that high-validity studies are warranted to examine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on pregnancy complications that contribute to cardiovascular-related maternal morbidity and suboptimal life course health for diverse birthing persons.