A Comparative Study of Mindfulness Efficiency Based on Islamic-Spiritual Schemes and Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Reduction of Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women.

The authors describe this as a pilot trial with a relatively small sample and limited power to detect differences between groups. The paper states 75 women and also says the sample size in each group was 30, while the control group is described as 15. The mindfulness course is described as 8 weeks and the cognitive behavioral therapy course as 12 weeks, so the two interventions were not delivered for the same length of time. Pregnant women who acknowledged a mental disorder were excluded, so the results do not show what would happen in women with diagnosed psychiatric illness. The outcomes were self-reported Beck anxiety and depression scores, and the supplied text does not state whether participants, therapists, or outcome assessors were blinded. The control group did not receive comparable group sessions. The mindfulness protocol was adapted to Islamic spiritual teachings and Iranian health centers, so its effect may not transfer unchanged to other settings. The study reports only pre-test and post-test measurements, with no follow-up period described.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. No funding source is reported in the supplied text.

Do not conclude that Islamic-spiritual mindfulness is proven better than group cognitive behavioral therapy for pregnant women everywhere. This was a small pilot trial with self-reported outcomes, no long-term follow-up, different course lengths, and a control group that did not receive comparable group sessions, so the lower mindfulness scores are preliminary.