Effects of perinatal meditation on pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of Perinatal Meditation on pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong.

Design: A prospective longitudinal randomized control quantitative study.  Data were collected using the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire, Prenatal Coping Inventory, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Body-Mind-Spirit Well-Being Inventory (BMSWBI) and salivary cortisol. Data were collected during first visit, 36^th weeks pregnant, 5^th weeks and 5^th months after delivery.

Settings: Perinatal meditation program (Eastern Based Meditative Intervention, EBMI) for pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong who were attending the hospital clinic for routine perinatal care.

Participants: 64 pregnant Chinese women were recruited for intervention and 59 were for control.  36 cases were classified as Frequent Practice (FP) in intervention group.

Results: Quantitative results showed statistically significant increase in positive appraisal (p < .05) at 36th weeks, difference in evening salivary cortisol (p < .05) and decreased in physical distress (p < .05) at 5th weeks postpartum in the Frequent Practice (FP) group.

Conclusions: Frequency of practice of meditation is directly related to its effects. Perinatal meditation can help pregnant women to reduce perinatal stress through its effect on coping mechanism and improves physical discomfort in postnatal period which are risk factors for maternal health, fetal health and child health.  Perinatal meditation can be added into present perinatal counselling and perinatal program to promote maternal health, child health and family health.