Mindfulness for new moms after cesarean to ease pain and mood
Official title: Maternal Mindfulness to Prevent Depression and Reduce Postpartum Pain (MaMiDaPP) Intervention
Run by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NCT05400382 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This small, early-phase trial tests a self-guided 8-week mindfulness program delivered on a mobile device to see if it can reduce pain after cesarean delivery and lower postpartum depressive symptoms in new mothers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Champaign, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05400382 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are women aged 18-45 planning a cesarean delivery, with a history of depression, no chronic pain conditions, and in English or Spanish, who own a device with internet access.
✕Probably not a fit
Women who do not experience depressive symptoms or significant pain after cesarean, or who do not engage with the mobile mindfulness program, may see little or no benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-arm phase I study enrolling 20 women planning a cesarean delivery. The trial will use a mobile, self-guided mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) to see if it is feasible, acceptable, and safe, with a focus on pain reduction and prevention of postpartum depression. Participants come from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and will complete online surveys and study visits to assess feasibility, dosage, safety, and preliminary effects on pain and depressive symptoms. The study will measure recruitment and retention success, engagement with the program, and changes in pain scores and EPDS scores from baseline to post-intervention. No pharmacologic treatments are involved; the intervention is a behavioral program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could offer a convenient non-drug option to help new mothers manage pain after cesarean delivery and reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest mindfulness-based interventions can help pain and mood in perinatal populations, but this exact mobile, self-guided approach in the cesarean/postpartum setting is exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
1. Women must self-identify as Latina/Latinx/Hispanic, Asian, African American, or non-Hispanic White. 2. Scheduled to undergo a planned cesarean delivery. 3. Be of 18-45 years of age 4. Have a singleton pregnancy 5. Score between 5 and 13 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) 6. A history of depression 7. Have no chronic pain condition (e.g., fibromyalgia) 8. Own a computer, smartphone, or tablet 9. Have a reliable internet access to complete the online surveys. 10. Be proficient in English or Spanish.
Where it's running
-
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, Ph.D.
- Email: laracini@illinois.edu
- Phone: 217-300-3512
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.