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The ACORN Study: Coping and Relaxation during Pregnancy
The ACORN study is a research study developing a group intervention designed to help reduce anxiety and stress during pregnancy. This group programme is for both pregnant women and their partners. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit programme, and sponsored by Central and North West London NHS Trust.
For many women, pregnancy is a positive experience. However, a significant number of women suffer from anxiety during pregnancy. The current study aims to develop an intervention for antenatal anxiety, based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles and incorporating key learning from from an existing guided-self help intervention, Towards Parenthood, for use in a group format in the context of UK antenatal services. Towards Parenthood is a supported, workbook-based, psychoeducational intervention which has been tested in a clinical trial and has been shown to reduce anxiety in expectant mothers.
The purpose of this research is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering this group intervention to reduce levels of anxiety in pregnant women. We recruited 70 women from London in addition to some of their partners, as well as recruiting further women from a second study site in Exeter. Based on the experiences of study participants, we are currently in the process of finalising our evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. In addition, 40 of the original 70 participants and their babies have taken part in a further post-natal follow-up to assess stress reactivity and mum-baby interaction as well as the activity of genes (epigenetics) linked to stress.
If you would like any further information about the study please contact us or visit in the ACORN study website here.
Please note, we have now finished recruiting for this study
The ACORN study is a research study developing a group intervention designed to help reduce anxiety and stress during pregnancy. This group programme is for both pregnant women and their partners. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit programme, and sponsored by Central and North West London NHS Trust.
For many women, pregnancy is a positive experience. However, a significant number of women suffer from anxiety during pregnancy. The current study aims to develop an intervention for antenatal anxiety, based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles and incorporating key learning from from an existing guided-self help intervention, Towards Parenthood, for use in a group format in the context of UK antenatal services. Towards Parenthood is a supported, workbook-based, psychoeducational intervention which has been tested in a clinical trial and has been shown to reduce anxiety in expectant mothers.
The purpose of this research is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering this group intervention to reduce levels of anxiety in pregnant women. We recruited 70 women from London in addition to some of their partners, as well as recruiting further women from a second study site in Exeter. Based on the experiences of study participants, we are currently in the process of finalising our evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. In addition, 40 of the original 70 participants and their babies have taken part in a further post-natal follow-up to assess stress reactivity and mum-baby interaction as well as the activity of genes (epigenetics) linked to stress.
If you would like any further information about the study please contact us or visit in the ACORN study website here.
Please note, we have now finished recruiting for this study
