Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) produce a small but notable improvement in mental health among pregnant women, with moderate effects on stress and anxiety but no significant effect on depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies (10 randomized controlled trials and 3 quasi-experimental studies) found an overall small effect on mental health outcomes. The high heterogeneity across studies likely stems from differences in intervention types and durations. No study examined effects by trimester, and future research should use larger samples and assess trimester-specific outcomes.
Adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in Taiwan who participated in a Zen meditation program described the practice as a process of struggling to reach calm, noticing signs of improvement, and recognizing it as an individual journey. Improvements included finding a personal way to calm, a changed sense of time, and adjusting meditation goals. The participants' sense of being (dasein) shaped their understanding of the practice. The findings reveal diverse, phenomenon-featuring aspects of Zen meditation that complement quantitative studies and may inform professionals using Zen meditation as an alternative therapy for GAD.