A mindfulness and compassion-based program applied to pregnant women and their partners to decrease depression symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of great change for women and their partners, often bringing substantial challenges and stress. Approximately 10%-20% of women suffer from mood disorders such as depression in the perinatal period. There are risks involved in using psychopharmacological interventions to treat perinatal depression. Mindfulness and compassion-based educational programs could be efficacious and costeffective options for the prevention and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) program that includes compassion training for pregnant women in primary care (PC) settings in the Spanish National Health System to decrease perinatal depression. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted. Participants will be pregnant women (n = 122) and their partners who wish to participate. They will be enrolled and assessed in PC settings and randomly assigned to either: (1) an adapted MBCP educational program tailored to the Spanish National Health System + treatment as usual (TAU); or (2) TAU only. The main outcome to be assessed will be depression, evaluated with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Secondary outcomes will include self-reported measures of perceived stress, affects, mindfulness, self-compassion, maternal self-efficacy, and use of health and social services. Patients will be assessed at four timepoints: baseline; post-treatment; and at three and six months after childbirth. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be carried out using linear regression mixed models. Effect sizes will be estimated using Cohen's d.

Compassion in Spanish-speaking health care: A systematic review

“…Strauss et al ( 2016 ) defined compassion as a cognitive, affective and behavioral process that involves identifying suffering, understanding its universality, feeling emotionally connected or empathic with the experience of the other, tolerating uncomfortable feelings in response to suffering and being motivated to alleviate it/act. This definition is consistent with the description given by studies of the elements that make up compassion (Flores et al, 2018 ; Klos & Lemos, 2018 ; Sacristán-Martin et al, 2019 ; Valentín et al, 2019 ).…”

“…-These results are consistent with other studies that indicate that women attach importance to the relational component of nursing care and influence the value of care. Sacristán-Martin et al ( 2019 ) Spain 122 pregnant women and their partners in some cases. -Sociodemographics - Depression (EPDS; García-Esteve et al, 2003 ).…”

Systematic Birth Preparation Programs Positively Influence the Childbirth Fear: A cross-sectional study

“…Their study differs from our study as it was performed after the birth to analyze the birth experience. Furthermore, there are some studies that present mindfulness as an alternative program for the antepartum and postpartum period (15). Sacristan-Martin et al applied the Mindfulness-based Childbirth and Parenting Program and they evaluated the progress of women in four different time zones as before program, after program, at three months and six months after childbirth mainly for perinatal depression (15).…”

Effect of Aerobic Training and Mindfulness Therapy on Smartphone Addicted Young Individuals

“…Therefore, the individuals in the aerobic group showed comparatively a little more decrease in SAS score as compared to the individuals in mindfulness group, though it was not statically significant. Mindfulness therapy is proven to be effective in young individuals as they learn to increase their perceptual distance from mental urges and is mainly beneficial in those with symptoms of depression and other mental disorders 10,11 , whereas in aerobic training acute bouts of exercise have been related over enhanced cognitive functioning 16 , positive effects of physical activity have also been described for persons with mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety 15 .Mindfulness therapy is almost effective but has no statistical difference.…”

“…According to a literature review, common treatment options for behavioural addiction include cognitivebehavioural therapy (CBT), motivational intervention, and mindfulness behavioural cognitive treatment (MBCT), which can be conducted individually or in group 10 . Through mindfulness techniques, individuals learn to increase their perceptual distance from mental urges and are mainly beneficial for those with symptoms of depression and other mental disorders 10,11 .…”