Effects of relaxation therapy on maternal psychological status and infant growth following late preterm and early-term delivery: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal stress is one modifiable variable that could influence mother–infant signaling and negatively affect breastfeeding and infant growth. ObjectivesThis study aimed to test the hypothesis that relaxation therapy would reduce maternal stress and improve infant growth, behavior, and breastfeeding outcomes after late preterm (LP) and early-term (ET) delivery. MethodsA single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted in healthy Chinese primiparous mother–infant pairs after LP or ET delivery (34+0–37+6 gestation weeks). Mothers were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG, listening to relaxation meditation at least once a day) or control group (CG, normal care). Primary outcomes—changes in maternal stress (perceived stress scale), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and infant weight and length standard deviation score—were assessed at 1 wk and 8 wks postpartum. Secondary outcomes—breast milk energy and macronutrient composition, maternal breastfeeding attitudes, infant behaviors (3-d diary), and 24-hour milk intake—were assessed at 8 wks. ResultsIn total, 96 mother–infant pairs were recruited. There was a significantly greater reduction in maternal perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale score) (mean difference [MD] = 2.65; 95% CI: 0.8, 4.5) and significantly greater infant weight standard deviation score gain (MD = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.9) from 1 wk to 8 wks in the IG than those in the CG. Exploratory analyses showed a significant interaction between intervention and sex, with greater effects on weight gain in female infants. Mothers of female infants used the intervention more frequently with significantly higher milk energy observed at 8 wks. ConclusionsThe relaxation meditation tape is a simple, effective practical tool that could easily be used in clinical settings to support breastfeeding mothers after LP and ET delivery. The findings need confirmation in larger groups and in other populations.