Impact of audio assisted relaxation technique on stress, anxiety and milk output among postpartum mothers of hospitalized neonates: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Despite evidence suggesting use of relaxation technique beneficial for all human beings, it is one of the less commonly used approach for postpartum mothers. AimTo assess the impact of relaxation technique on stress, anxiety and milk output among the postpartum mothers of hospitalized neonates in NICU. Materials and methodsIn a non-blinded randomized controlled trial with total enumeration sampling technique, screening of NICU admission was done daily based on inclusion criteria. From total 160 admissions over a period of 6 month, 74 postpartum mothers meet the inclusion criteria whose neonates were born preterm (26–33 weeks gestation) and admitted consecutively to the level-III NICU at AIIMS Hospital in New Delhi, India. Total 57 mothers agree to participate, they were enrolled and randomly assigned to experimental (n1 = 29) and control (n2 = 28) groups using a computer generated random allocation sequence. There were total seven dropouts with the final sample size of 25 in each group. Baseline data including socio-demographic profile, maternal stress and anxiety were collected using subject data sheet, standardized Parental Stress Scale (PSS): NICU and Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) on 4 ± 2 postpartum day. An audio assisted relaxation technique of 30 min duration, was developed under the guidance of yoga therapist, which included deep breathing (5 min), Suksham Vyayam (8 min), Anulom-Vilom (5 min), Brahmari (5 min), Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) (5 min), and deep breathing (2 min). The experimental group was administered audio assisted relaxation technique followed by every day practice for 10 days, while the control group continued to receive the routine care. The impact of the relaxation technique on stress, and anxiety of mothers along with milk output was assessed after 10 days of enrolment. ResultsBaseline characteristics and pre-intervention mean maternal stress (3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 3.8 ± 0.5, p = 0.34) and anxiety scores (31.12 ± 11.4 vs. 31.08 ± 12.0, p = 0.99) were comparable in both the groups. There was significant reduction observed in maternal stress (2.9 ± 0.5 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6) and anxiety scores (19.8 ± 6.7 vs. 28.18 ± 11.7, p ≤ 0.05) and improvement in milk output (69.2 ± 19.3 vs. 54.1 ± 22.5, p ≤ 0.05) in experimental group as compared to control group. ConclusionUse of relaxation technique may have significant role in reducing maternal stress and anxiety and improving the milk output.This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI/2018/06/014471).