Study protocol for the Mindful Moms Study: A randomized controlled trial evaluating a mindful movement intervention...

Area of Science:

• Perinatal mental health
• Psychosocial interventions
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Over 20% of pregnant individuals in the U.S. experience depressive symptoms.
• Marginalized pregnant individuals face barriers to standard depression treatment (stigma, cost, side effects).
• Existing treatments often overlook social connectedness, a key factor in depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Mindful Moms Study, a randomized controlled trial assessing a mindful physical activity (yoga) intervention.
• To examine the intervention's effects on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress in marginalized pregnant individuals.
• To explore social connectedness as a moderator and investigate DNA methylation patterns.

Main Methods:

• A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 200 marginalized pregnant individuals.
• Comparison between a group-based mindful physical activity (yoga) intervention and a prenatal education control group.
• Longitudinal assessment of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress from baseline to six weeks postpartum; genome-wide DNA methylation analysis.

Main Results:

• The study aims to evaluate the effects of group assignment on depressive symptom severity, anxiety, and perceived stress.
• Secondary aims include understanding the role of social connectedness as a moderator.
• Identification of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns associated with depressive symptoms and social connectedness.

Conclusions:

• Mindful physical activity interventions may offer accessible, non-pharmacologic options for managing perinatal depression.
• Addressing social connectedness is crucial for improving mental health outcomes in marginalized pregnant populations.
• This research prioritizes symptom management and social connection for understudied groups.