Perinatal mindfulness review finds mixed results across measured outcomes
Anxiety scores and newborn Apgar scores improved in pooled analyses, while depression, stress, and mindfulness scores showed no statistically significant differences.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled results favored mindfulness interventions for anxiety scores and Apgar scores, but did not establish significant effects on depression, stress, or mindfulness scores. Results varied substantially across most outcomes. This pattern supports a cautious, outcome-specific reading: it does not show broad improvement in perinatal mood disorders or establish wider, lasting benefits for newborn health.
High heterogeneity means results varied widely across studies. The abstract omits comparator details, intervention timing, and confidence intervals, making the size and consistency of benefits difficult to assess.
Null results still matter
Depression and stress estimates were not statistically significant, despite their apparently large standardized values. Such values cannot be converted into percentage benefits, and a nonsignificant result does not prove that an intervention has no effect.
Keep the newborn endpoint specific
The neonatal outcome reported here was the Apgar score. An improvement in that score should not be expanded into claims about fewer complications, better long-term development, or other newborn outcomes that the abstract does not report.
The original publication
Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions on perinatal mood disorders and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Fu Y, Wang Y, Zhu Z et al.
J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41267177
- Record checked
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