The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on preterm delivery among primigravida women referred to health care centers in Hamadan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Shobeiri 1
Masoome Taravati Javad 2
Farzaneh Soltani 1
Manoochehr Karami 3
1 Associate professor, Department of Midwifery, Mother & Child Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
2 M.Sc. in Midwifery Consulting, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
3 Associate professor, Department of Epidemiology, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2016.7198
Abstract
Introduction: Preterm delivery is the main cause of mortality and neonatal diseases. Since the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on preterm delivery in pregnant women has not been paid enough attention, therefore, this study was performed with aim to evaluate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation on preterm delivery of primigravida women referred to health care centers in Hamadan.
Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 120 primigravida women at 21-22 gestational week in Hamadan in 2015. At first, the subjects completed demographic questionnaire and Spielberger questionnaire and were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups (60 women in each group). The control group only received routine prenatal care, but experimental group in addition to routine prenatal care, learned muscle relaxation techniques and performed these exercises at home for 10 weeks, and completed daily performance sheet and were followed up to 32 weeks of gestation in terms of preterm delivery. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20), and t-test, Chi-square, and covariance analysis. PResults: Two groups were homogenous in terms of state and trait anxiety levels before the intervention, but after the intervention, state and trait anxiety in the control group was significantly increased (P<0.001), and significantly decreased in experimental group (P<0.001). Also, preterm delivery was significantly higher in control group than experimental group (P=0.04).
Conclusion: Teaching progressive muscle relaxation techniques to pregnant women can have a significant impact on reducing anxiety and preterm delivery.
Keywords
Anxiety
pregnancy
Preterm delivery
Progressive muscle relaxation
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 19, Issue 11
June 2016
Pages 1-10