Brief acceptance-based therapy for women with high-risk pregnancies: Uncontrolled pilot of an intervention for inpatients

Objective: Women hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies, including those with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), are at a greater risk for experiencing distress, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression. An acceptance-based therapy would be particularly suitable for such women, as it encourages them to experience uncomfortable sensations and thoughts. The aim of this study was to pilot-test the feasibility and acceptability of a brief acceptance-based therapy for pregnant women on hospitalized bedrest, and to report preliminary symptom changes. Method: Five women admitted to the hospital for PPROM participated in a 7-day acceptance-based therapy. Treatment feasibility and tolerability along with psychological symptoms (positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress, pregnancy-related distress and psychological flexibility) were assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention and at a 1-month postpartum follow-up (1MFU). Results: Treatment feasibility, credibility, tolerability, and homework adherence were high. Participants reported clinical levels of positive and negative affect upon admission and indicated stress as a result of hospitalization. The intervention was associated with an increase in positive affect into a non-clinical range, which was maintained through the 1MFU. Psychological flexibility was high at admission and remained high postpartum. Depression, anxiety, prenatal distress, and PTSD symptoms were in a non-clinical range, and remained non-clinical following admission and at 1MFU. Conclusions: Overall, our brief acceptance-based therapy was feasible and an acceptable intervention to implement in a medical setting. Findings suggest preliminary evidence that our brief intervention was associated with symptom improvements or maintenance of non-clinical levels in women hospitalized for high-risk pregnancies.