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

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 uncomplica

SUBMITTER: Bauer I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8447712 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature