Meditation and mindfulness reduce perceived stress in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a randomized controlled trial. Issue 2 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jensen, Karen Henriette Kirchheiner; Krog, Maria Christine; Koert, Emily; Hedegaard, Signe; Chonovitsch, Marie; Schmidt, Lone; Kolte, Astrid Marie; Nielsen, Henriette Svarre
• Is Part Of: Reproductive biomedicine online. Volume 43:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Education -- Meditation -- Randomized controlled trial -- Recurrent pregnancy loss -- Stress; Human reproductive technology -- Periodicals; Human embryo -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 616.692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.04.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6483

Abstract

Highlights: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is associated with high stress and depression. Meditation and mindfulness can reduce stress and depression. First randomized controlled trial testing meditation and mindfulness in women with RPL and high stress. Meditation and mindfulness significantly reduced high perceived stress in women with RPL. Meditation and mindfulness is a manageable option to improve mental health in women with RPL. Abstract: Research question: Can participating in a tailored 7-week meditation and mindfulness programme with additional standard supportive care versus standard supportive care only reduce perceived stress for women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL)? Design: A two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 12-month follow-up. In total 76 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either standard supportive care or to a 7-week meditation and mindfulness programme led by an instructor in addition to standard supportive care. Results: At intervention completion (after 7 weeks), perceived stress decreased significantly both in the intervention group ( P = 0.001) and in the control group ( P = 0.006). The decrease in perceived stress in the intervention group was significantly larger ( P = 0.027) compared with the control group. At the 12-month follow-up perceived stress was still significantly decreased in both groups compared with baseline ( P < 0.0001 in the intervention group and P = 0.002 in the control group). Conclusion: This first RCT of a tailored meditation and mindfulness intervention for women with RPL documents that a 7-week daily at-home meditation and mindfulness programme combined with group sessions reduced perceived stress significantly more than a standard supportive care programme. Future studies should address the most effective format and the 'dose' needed for an impact on perceived stress levels.