NDLI: Acute relaxation during pregnancy leads to a reduction in maternal electrodermal activity and self-reported stress levels

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Bauer, Ilena Hartkopf, Julia Wikström, Anna-Karin Schaal, Nora K. Preissl, Hubert Derntl, Birgit Schleger, Franziska
Abstract	Background Prenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development. Relaxation techniques have been examined as potential countermeasures. This study investigates different relaxation techniques and their effect on self-reported stress levels and physiological stress levels in pregnant women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 38 pregnant women in their 30th to 40th gestational week were assigned to one of three, 20-min lasting relaxation groups: listening to music (N = 12), following a guided imagery (N = 12) or resting (N = 12). The intervention, i.e., acute relaxation (music, guided imagery or resting) took place once for each study participant. Study inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, German speaking, singleton and uncomplicated pregnancy during the 30th and 40th week of gestation. The stress levels were determined during the study. Current stress level during the study was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Chronic stress levels were assessed by the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress and the Pregnancy Distress questionnaire. Multivariate analyses of covariance were performed and dependent measures included stress levels as well as physiological measures, i.e., cardiovascular activity (electrocardiogram) and skin conductance levels. Results All three forms of relaxation led to reduced maternal stress which manifested itself in significantly decreased skin conductance, F(3,94) = 18.011, p = .001, ηp2 = .365, and subjective stress levels after the interventions with no significant group difference. Post-intervention stress ratings were further affected by gestational age, with less subjective relaxation in women later in gestation, F (1, 34)=4.971, p = .032, ηp2 = .128. Conclusion Independent of relaxation technique, single, 20-min relaxation intervention (music, guided imagery or resting) can significantly reduce maternal stress. Notably, women at an earlier stage in their pregnancy reported higher relaxation after the intervention than women later in gestation. Hence, gestational age may influence perceived stress levels and should be considered when evaluating relaxation or stress management interventions during pregnancy. Trial registration Not applicable.
Related Links	https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12884-021-04099-4.pdf
Ending Page	12
Page Count	12
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	14712393
DOI	10.1186/s12884-021-04099-4
Journal	BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	21
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2021-09-17
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Reproductive Medicine Maternal and Child Health Gynecology Pregnancy Relaxation Maternal stress Heart rate Electrodermal activity
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Obstetrics and Gynecology
Journal Impact Factor	2.8/2023
5-Year Journal Impact Factor	3.4/2023

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