Center M Pilot Trial: Integrating Preventive Mental Health Care in Routine Prenatal Care

Perinatal depression is a leading cause of preventable US maternal morbidity and mortality. Although Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Perinatal Depression (MBCT-PD) is highly effective, it faces significant scalability challenges. Center M, a brief, group-based, mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention, is an adaptation of MBCT-PD designed to overcome these challenges. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate Center M's preliminary acceptability, feasibility, mechanisms of action, and efficacy.

In this mixed-methods pilot study, data were collected from 99 pregnant people at 3 time points: preintervention, postintervention, and 6-weeks postpartum (Clinical Trials no. NCT06525922). Participants engaged in 4 one-hour, weekly group telehealth Center M sessions facilitated by social workers. Participants strengthened mindfulness CBT skills using home practice materials between group sessions. Data included self-report measures evaluating depressive symptoms, mindfulness skills, and emotion regulation. Satisfaction was assessed via focus groups or surveys.

Depressive symptoms significantly decreased preintervention to postintervention (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 score: preintervention mean [SD] 5.02 [3.52], postintervention mean [SD] 4.23 [2.84]; P = .03), and mindfulness capacity significantly increased preintervention to 6 weeks postpartum (Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire score: preintervention mean [SD] 125.56 [18.68], 6 weeks postpartum mean [SD] 130.10 [17.15]; P = .004). Linear regression analyses indicate that higher mindfulness at 6 weeks postpartum significantly predicted fewer depression symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (β, -0.07; 95% CI, -0.123 to -0.021, R² = 0.22; P = .006). Reduction in the use of maladaptive emotion regulation was significantly associated with decreased depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (β, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.048 to 0.376, R² = .21; P = .012). Qualitative themes indicated high Center M acceptability and appeal.

Our findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and appeal of Center M. Results suggest Center M may be effective in reducing depression and enhancing mindfulness skills. Future research must confirm these initial findings to more widely address Center M implementation capacity and sustainability.