The effect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery on stress, anxiety, and depression of pregnant women referred to health centers
نویسندگان
1 Department of Midwifery, PHD Student in Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kashan University of Medical Sciences
2 Department of Biostatistics and Public Health, Faculty of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences,
3 Department of Health, Kargar Health Centre, Kashan University of Medical Sciences,
4 Department of Health, Akramian Health Centre, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: If anxiety and depression do not detect in pregnant women, they may causecomplications for the mother, child, and family, including postpartum depression. With regard to theadministrative capability of relaxation in health centers, this study was conducted to determine theeffect of progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery on stress, anxiety, and depression inpregnant women.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on pregnant women inthe city of Kashan at 28–36 weeks. At the onset of the study, demographic questionnaire, EdinburghDepression Scale, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‑21 (DASS‑21) were completed.Providing obtaining score of mild‑to‑moderate in the stress, anxiety, and depression scale and scoreof 10 or higher in Edinburgh Depression Scale, individuals were divided randomized to the interventiongroup (n = 33) and control group (n = 33). DASS‑21 was again completed in the 4th–7th weeks ofbeginning of the study by all women.RESULTS: Analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated significant differences in meanof scores of stress, anxiety, and depression at three different times in relaxation group (P < 0.05)whereas found no significant differences in the mean of scores of stress, anxiety, and depressionin the control group.CONCLUSIONS: In this study, relaxation could reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnantwomen during six sessions. Due to the simplicity and low cost of this technique, it can be used toreduce stress and anxiety in pregnant women and improve pregnancy outcomes.
