Mindful Moms: Mechanisms of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Summary

The proposed study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms underlying Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in pregnancy to improve understanding of how and why this treatment modality enhances well-being, which can then be leveraged to optimize treatment for psychological distress emerging during this vulnerable period.

Conditions

• Psychological Distress
• Pregnancy Related
• Postpartum Blues
• Postpartum Depression
• Postpartum Anxiety
• Postpartum Sadness

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

MBCT is an 8-week group-based treatment modality designed specifically to prevent recurrence of depressive symptoms. MBCT combines principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness meditation to help participants change the way in which they relate to automatic negative thinking patterns that trigger symptom recurrence. Through awareness and acceptance of negative thoughts and emotions, participants learn how to dismiss negative thoughts and to tolerate distress and uncertainty.

BEHAVIORAL

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

TAU (the control group) provides participants with information about the benefits of mindfulness in pregnancy and offers referrals for psychotherapy in the community. Participants in TAU are contacted monthly via phone or videoconference call to maintain engagement.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• American Psychological Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• The Pittsburgh Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Pittsburgh

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Michele Levine, PhD · University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

• Shannon Donofry, PhD · University of Pittsburgh-Psychology and (primarily) AHN Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Institute

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-09-01

Primary Completion

2026-02-27

Completion

2026-02-27

Countries

• United States

Study Locations