scholarly journals A New Parental Mentalization Focused Ultrasound Intervention for Substance Using Pregnant Women. Effect on Self-reported Prenatal Mental Health, Attachment and Mentalization in a Randomized and Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Jussila ◽  
Eeva Ekholm ◽  
Marjukka Pajulo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Focused Ultrasound ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Prenatal Mental Health

scholarly journals Probiotics and Maternal Mental Health: A Randomised Controlled Trial among Pregnant Women with Obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia P. Dawe ◽  
Lesley M. E. McCowan ◽  
Jess Wilson ◽  
Karaponi A. M. Okesene-Gafa ◽  
Anna S. Serlachius
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternal Mental Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Save the children by treating their mothers (PriVileG-M-study) - study protocol: a sequentially randomized controlled trial of individualized psychotherapy and telemedicine to reduce mental stress in pregnant women and young mothers and to improve Child’s health

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bischoff ◽  
V. Howland ◽  
J. Klinger-König ◽  
S. Tomczyk ◽  
S. Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Maternal Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Abstract Background As early as pregnancy, maternal mental stress impinges on the child’s development and health. Thus, this may cause enhanced risk for premature birth, lowered fetal growth, and lower fetal birth weight as well as enhanced levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lowered levels of the bonding hormone oxytocin. Maternal stress further reduces maternal sensitivity for the child’s needs which impairs the mother-child-interaction and bonding. Therefore, prevention and intervention studies on mental stress are necessary, beginning prenatally and applying rigorous research methodology, such as randomized controlled trials, to ensure high validity. Methods A randomized controlled trial is used to assess the impact of psychotherapy and telemedicine on maternal mental stress and the child’s mental and physical health. Mentally stressed pregnant women are randomized to an intervention (IG) and a not intervened control group. The IG receives an individualized psychotherapy starting prenatal and lasting for 10 months. Afterwards, a second randomization is used to investigate whether the use of telemedicine can stabilize the therapeutic effects. Using ecological momentary assessments and video recordings, the transfer into daily life, maternal sensitivity and mother-child-bonding are assessed. Psycho-biologically, the synchronicity of cortisol and oxytocin levels between mother and child are assessed as well as the peptidome of the colostrum and breast milk, which are assumed to be essential for the adaptation to the extra-uterine environment. All assessments are compared to an additional control group of healthy women. Finally, the results of the study will lead to the development of a qualification measure for health professionals to detect mental stress, to treat it with low-level interventions and to refer those women with high stress levels to mental health professionals. Discussion The study aims to prevent the transgenerational transfer of psychiatric and somatic disorders from the mother to her child. The effects of the psychotherapy will be stabilized through telemedicine and long-term impacts on the child’s and mothers’ mental health are enhanced. The combination of psychotherapy, telemedicine and methodologies of ecological momentary assessment, video recording and bio banking are new in content-related and methodological manner. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00017065. Registered 02 May 2019. World Health Organization, Universal Trial Number: U1111–1230-9826. Registered 01 April 2019.

scholarly journals The Effect of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training on Mental Health of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith van der Zwan ◽  
Anja Huizink ◽  
Paul Lehrer ◽  
Hans Koot ◽  
Wieke de Vente
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Psychological Well Being

In this study, we examined the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV)-biofeedback on stress and stress-related mental health problems in women. Furthermore, we examined whether the efficacy differed between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Fifty women (20 pregnant, 30 non-pregnant; mean age 31.6, SD = 5.9) were randomized into an intervention (n = 29) or a waitlist condition (n = 21). All participants completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep, and psychological well-being on three occasions with 6-week intervals. Women in the intervention condition received HRV-biofeedback training between assessment 1 and 2, and women in the waitlist condition received the intervention between assessment 2 and 3. The intervention consisted of a 5-week HRV-biofeedback training program with weekly 60–90 min. sessions and daily exercises at home. Results indicated a statistically significant beneficial effect of HRV-biofeedback on psychological well-being for all women, and an additional statistically significant beneficial effect on anxiety complaints for pregnant women. No significant effect was found for the other stress-related complaints. These findings support the use of HRV-biofeedback as a stress-reducing technique among women reporting stress and related complaints in clinical practice to improve their well-being. Furthermore, it supports the use of this technique for reducing anxiety during pregnancy.

scholarly journals The mental health crisis of expectant women in the UK: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on prenatal mental health, antenatal attachment and social support

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Laura Filippetti ◽  
Alasdair D F Clarke ◽  
Silvia Rigato
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Antenatal Attachment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Unborn Baby ◽  
Prenatal Mental Health

BackgroundExperiences of prenatal trauma exacerbates vulnerability to negative health outcomes for pregnant women and their infants. We aimed to examine the role of: 1) anxiety, depression, and stress related to COVID-19 in predicting the quality of antenatal attachment; 2) perceived social support and COVID-19 appraisal in predicting maternal anxiety and depression.MethodsA sample of 150 UK expectant women were surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Questions included demographics, pregnancy details, and COVID-19 appraisal. Validated measures were used to collect self-reported maternal antenatal attachment (MAAS), symptoms of anxiety (STAI), depression (BDI-II), and stress related to the psychological impact of COVID-19 (IES-r). ResultsWe found that the pandemic has affected UK expectant mothers’ mental health by increasing prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress. Women for whom COVID-19 had a higher psychological impact were more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms. High depressive symptoms were associated with reduced attachment to the unborn baby. Whilst women who appraised the impact of COVID-19 to be more negative showed higher levels of anxiety, higher social support acted as a protective factor and was associated with lower anxiety.LimitationsThe cross-sectional nature of the study hinders conclusions about causality. Future research should include paternal prenatal mental health. ConclusionsDirect experience of prenatal trauma, such as the one experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly amplifies mothers’ vulnerability to mental health symptoms and impairs the formation of a positive relationship with their unborn baby. Health services should prioritise interventions strategies aimed at fostering support for pregnant women.

scholarly journals Mental health of Urban Mothers (MUM) study: a multicentre randomised controlled trial, study protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e041133
Author(s):  
Simone Eliane Schwank ◽  
Ho-Fung Chung ◽  
Mandy Hsu ◽  
Shih-Chien Fu ◽  
Li Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Support Intervention ◽  
Urban Mothers ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Anxiety Depression

IntroductionMental health disorders are common during pregnancy and the postnatal period and can have serious adverse effects on women and their children. The consequences for global mental health due to COVID-19 are likely to be significant and may have a long-term impact on the global burden of disease. Besides physical vulnerability, pregnant women are at increased risk of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the consequences of social distancing. It can result in altered healthcare routines, less support from the family and friends, and in some cases, partners not being allowed to be present during prenatal visits, labour and delivery. Higher than expected, rates of perinatal anxiety and depression have been already reported during the pandemic. Pregnant women may also feel insecure and worried about the effects of COVID-19 on their unborn child if they get infected during pregnancy. Today, young urban women are used to using internet services frequently and efficiently. Therefore, providing mental health support to pregnant women via internet may be effective in ameliorating their anxiety/depression, reducing the risk of serious mental health disorders, and lead to improved maternal and perinatal outcomes.Overarching aimOur aim is to explore the effectiveness of a web-based psychosocial peer-to-peer support intervention in reducing the risk and severity of perinatal mental health disorders and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women living in metropolitan urban settings.Methods and analysisWe plan to conduct a multicentre prospective randomised controlled trial, Mental health of Urban Mothers trial. Pregnant women living in large metropolitan cities will be recruited using internet-based application through non-profit organisations’ websites. The women who consent will be randomised to receive a web-based peer-to-peer support intervention or usual care. Data will be analysed to identify the effects of intervention on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scores as well as pregnancy outcomes. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal stress will be assesed using Impact Event Scale-R. Any differences in outcomes between cities will be addressed in subgroup analyses.Ethics and disseminationThe study will be conducted according to the principles of Good Clinical Practice and will follow the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol has been approved by the ethical review board of Chinese University of Hong Kong (IRB number 2019-8170) and Shanghai Center for Women’s and Children’s Health (international review board (IRB) number 2020-F001-12). The results will be disseminated at national and international scientific conferences, published in peer-reviewed medical journals and spread to the public through social media, news outlets and podcasts.Trial registration numberNCT04363177; Trial sponsor Karolinska Institute, CLINTEC, Stockholm, Sweden.

scholarly journals Mindfulness-based stress reduction adapted to pregnant women with psychosocial vulnerabilities—a protocol for a randomized feasibility study in a Danish hospital-based outpatient setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Skovbjerg ◽  
D. Birk ◽  
S. Bruggisser ◽  
A. L. A. Wolf ◽  
L. Fjorback
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Abstract Background This protocol is for a feasibility study of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program adapted for pregnant women with psychosocial vulnerabilities. The rationale for the study is the need for a wider array of evidence-based options to address prenatal mental health care needs in pregnant women. MBSR is a promising mental health intervention but has not yet been adapted for pregnant women with the aim of addressing prenatal mental health. The purpose is thus to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes of an adapted MBSR program, prenatal MBSR, compared to usual care to inform a randomized controlled trial. Methods/design Pregnant women (n = 60) referred to an outpatient clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Denmark, will be recruited for the study. The design is a single-center feasibility trial, with prenatal MBSR, as an add-on to usual care. The primary outcome is to assess the feasibility of a full-scale randomized controlled trial. The secondary feasibility outcome includes possible effects of the adapted MBSR program estimated by self-report questionnaires measuring stress, anxiety, depression, well-being, decentering, reflective functioning, mindfulness, and compassion. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to prenatal MBSR or usual care. Discussion The study is part of the Good Start to Family Life study anchored at Copenhagen University Hospital, Amager and Hvidovre, Denmark. Teaching the skills of mindfulness meditation to a psychosocially vulnerable group of pregnant women could prove a viable and non-pharmacological approach to reduce stress, improve mental health, and provide support in the transition to parenthood. The outcomes of the feasibility study will inform the design of a fully powered randomized controlled trial. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04571190. Registered on September 30, 2020

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