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

Last updated: May 1, 2025
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Post-partum Depression

Depression

Depression (Major/severe)

Treatment

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Clinical Study ID

NCT05137925
STUDY21060191
  • Ages > 18
  • Female
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • pregnancy between 12 and 30 weeks gestation

  • reporting at least mild psychological distress (based on self-report)

  • access to high-speed internet or cellular network access

  • located in the U.S.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • current suicidal or homicidal ideation as assessed verbally during screening

  • symptom severity necessitating a higher level of clinical care

  • current psychosis

  • untreated mania

  • active substance abuse

  • lack of high-speed internet connection or cellular network access

  • planning to be traveling without access to internet for more than two weeks in thenext 12 months

Study Design

Total Participants: 80
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Treatment as Usual (TAU)
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 01, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
November 30, 2025

Study Description

Pregnancy and postpartum is a period of vulnerability for new or worsening psychiatric symptoms. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an effective approach to mitigate pregnancy-related worsening of psychological distress. However, prior research has focused predominantly on symptoms of depression and anxiety, and is it not clear how or why MBCT improves psychological health during the perinatal period. Thus, the goals of this project are to (1) examine whether MBCT improves psychological functioning among pregnant women and whether these improvements persist at three-months postpartum, (2) examine whether improved ability to regulate emotions and behavior accounts for the beneficial effects of MBCT, and (3) determine what demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors impact treatment engagement and effectiveness.

Connect with a study center

  • Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    United States

    Site Not Available

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