Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mindfulness-Based Smartphone App among Pregnant Women with Obesity

Abstract

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk for prenatal depressive symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to reduce the risk of prenatal depression. This pilot study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone-based MBI among pregnant women with obesity, and its potential for improving maternal mental and behavioral health outcomes. Five second-trimester pregnant women with a prepregnancy body mass index > 30 kg/m2 participated in a 30-day audio-guided mindfulness practice using the Headspace app. All participants engaged in the pregnancy module, while three concurrently engaged in the mindful eating module. Daily engagement with the app was tracked and a post-trial survey assessed maternal acceptability. Validated pre- and post-trial questionnaires explored changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and eating habits. All participants completed the study with varying levels of adherence to the prescribed daily practice; the average number of days of engagement was 23/30 (77%) for the pregnancy module and 20/30 (67%) for the mindful eating module. All subjects reported some degree of perceived benefit, and none reported negative experiences. Trends were observed for improvements in maternal mental wellbeing and eating behaviors. This pilot study shows that a smartphone-based MBI is feasible, acceptable, and perceived to provide benefit among pregnant women with obesity.

Effectiveness of Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression in Pregnancy

“…Several existing studies suggest that eMBI is useful (Krusche et al, 2018), feasible, and acceptable (Mendelson et al, 2018;Avalos et al, 2020) in the treatment of depression and anxiety in the perinatal period. There is evidence that women with high levels of depression, anxiety, or stress over time benefit more from MBI than the universal perinatal population (Taylor, Cavanagh & Strauss, 2016) A study with smartphone-based MBI is a feasible, acceptable, and perceived intervention that benefits pregnant women with obesity (Ward et al, 2023). The research findings indicate a high MBA acceptance rate.…”

Well-being during pregnancy and the transition to motherhood: an explorative study through the lens of healthcare professionals

“…The interventions vary between physical activity interventions (20)(21)(22), mindfulness interventions (19,23) and multi-component positive psychology interventions which combine different exercises and methods to increase positive thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. (17) Interventions also differ regarding delivery and duration e.g., some interventions are offered during the perinatal period, and others during pregnancy (23)(24)(25) or postpartum. (26) Additionally, delivery format differs between inperson group sessions (23,27) or an individual approach using digital resources such as telephonedelivered interventions (26), web-based interventions or mobile phone-based interventions.…”

“…(26) Additionally, delivery format differs between inperson group sessions (23,27) or an individual approach using digital resources such as telephonedelivered interventions (26), web-based interventions or mobile phone-based interventions. (24,25) Furthermore, outcome measurements for mental health during pregnancy differ extensively between different mental illness outcomes and mental well-being outcomes, with limited consensus on outcome measurements for mental health during pregnancy. Also, studies on mental well-being during the perinatal period are often based on women's subjective experience and emotional well-being concerning their experiences of physical changes during pregnancy and of labour and birth as well as attitudes and beliefs about self-conception, con dence and self-e cacy.…”