ArticleActa obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica2025
Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online acceptance and commitment therapy intervention to reduce fear of childbirth: A novel application of a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy focused on psychological flexibility and acceptance.
Article in Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Lifestyle Change in Overweight Pregnant Women: A Feasibility Pilot Study.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Psychometric and clinical validation of the fear of childbirth questionnaire in a UK population.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2026Article
- Application of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for negative emotions in pregnant women: a narrative review.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Review
- Feasibility and acceptability of a brief online acceptance and commitment therapy intervention to reduce fear of childbirth: A novel application of a third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy focused on psychological flexibility and acceptance.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionFear of childbirth (FOC) is a significant issue for many women. However, findings from studies of psychological interventions to reduce FOC are equivocal. Resource constraints highlight the need for brief interventions. Previous research demonstrated that a face-to-face single session acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention showed promise. The National Health Service (NHS) Long Term Plan for England highlights a wish to increase digitalization. There is a need to test online adaptations of interventions. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability, and preliminary indications of effectiveness of an online ACT group intervention for individuals who experience FOC in their first pregnancy. MATERIAL AND
methodsParticipants were recruited via an NHS maternity service to attend an online two-session, small group, ACT intervention. Information on recruitment, retention, and qualitative and quantitative feedback on the sessions was gathered. Primary outcome measures (FOC and anxiety) and secondary measures (psychological flexibility and coping style) to identify potential mechanisms of change were completed pre-intervention and 2 weeks following the second session.
resultsSeven two-session groups ran with 25 individuals participating in both sessions, indicating good feasibility. All participants were retained and provided follow-up data. Feedback information suggested that the intervention was highly acceptable. Statistical and clinical reductions in FOC and anxiety were found. Statistically significant changes in psychological flexibility and coping style offer preliminary hypotheses regarding potential mechanisms of change.
conclusionsA two-session online ACT group intervention tailored for FOC appears feasible and acceptable and shows promise in terms of impact. A pilot randomized controlled trial is warranted.
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