Preterm birth represents a major obstetric complication. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a meditation programme in the prevention of preterm birth. This study was a randomized controlled trial without blinding. The study was performed at Udonthani Hospital in Northeast Thailand. A total of 199 eligible participants were randomly assigned to a five-step mindfulness meditation programme (n=84) or a control group (n=115). The control group received routine prenatal care. The meditation and control group subjects did not differ on a wide variety of sociodemographic characteristics, or in terms obstetric history and prior meditation experience. The data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis after delivery, using less than 37 weeks as the criterion for a preterm birth. Other outcome variables included a subjective measure of symptoms of stress. The preterm birth rate for the meditation group was significantly less than that for the control group (6.0% vs. 15.7%, p=0. 037). The stress scores reported by the meditation group markedly decreased over time (p<0.001), while the control group scores showed no change (p=0.375). The results confirm and strengthen the findings of past research indicating that participation in a meditation programme can reduce symptoms of stress. Meditation appears to be a promising technique for reducing the incidence of preterm birth. Recommendations are made for future research in this area.
Meditation ; Premature Birth ; Randomized Controlled Trial ; prevention & control

Introduction: Patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD) who develop volume overload (VO) have high risks of dropout from death or advancement to hemodialysis. We aimed to determine the mortality rates, associated factors, and patient survival rates of PD patients who had history of admission from VO. Methods: We reviewed data of PD patients who were registered in the Database of Peritoneal dialysis in EXcel (DPEX) from January 2008 to December 2018. They were followed until death or the end of June 2020. Patients with at least 18 years of age and history of admission from VO were classified into two groups. Group A had a history of VO after starting PD. Group B had a history of VO before and after starting PD. The mortality rates were calculated. Patient survival and associated factors were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and multiple cox regression, respectively. Results: 1,882 patients had history of admission from VO. The overall mortality rate was 28.9 per 100 person-years. The mortality rates in group A and group B were 25.4 and 41.7 per 100 person-years, respectively. Patients in group A had lower age, fewer comorbidities, longer dialysis vintage, and better patient survival than those in group B. Factors related to worsening patient survival were increased age, diabetes, and comorbidities. Conclusion: Patients with history of admission from VO before and after the start of PD had higher mortality rates than those with history of admission from VO after PD. Increased age, diabetes, and comorbidities were the associated factors of patient survival.