The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on depression during pregnancy Original paper

In this meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials, mindfulness-based interventions reduced symptoms of depression in pregnant women.

The effect of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on symptoms of depression in the context of pregnancy.

A total of 1,480 pregnant women (average ages of 25–34).

A meta-analysis of 19 trials (17 randomized controlled trials and 2 nonrandomized controlled trials) was performed. Six trials were conducted in the United States, 4 trials were conducted in China, 2 trials each were conducted in Sweden, Iran, and Australia, and 1 trial each was conducted in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Taiwan. The types of MBIs were adapted MBIs (14 trials), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT; 3 trials), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR; 2 trials). The intervention duration ranged from 1 to 8 weeks.

MBIs reduced symptoms of depression with a moderate effect size.

In subgroup analyses based on the type of MBI used, MBCT reduced symptoms of depression to a greater extent than adapted MBIs and MBSR.