Psychological factors in preterm labor and psychotherapeutic intervention

Abstract

Prematurity is the leading cause of perinatal mortality in developing countries and nearly 50% have no identifiable clinical risk factor. A few studies have enlightened the role of psychological factors in its causation and psychotherapeutic interventions in the form of hypnosis relaxation exercises and anxiety reducing exercises. The following study was conducted to assess the psychological factors in subjects with preterm labor of unknown cause and to compare the effect of psychotherapeutic intervention along with tocolysis to tocolysis alone. Fifty subjects with preterm labor satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were assessed of psychological stress using modified life inventory and abbreviated psychosocial scale. They were randomly assigned to control group (25) who received tocolysis with nifedipine and study group (25) who received nifedipine along with psychotherapeutic intervention in the form of Luthes relaxation technique and transcendental meditation. The endpoints studied were cessation of uterine contractions prolongation of pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Statistical analysis was done using Graphad Instat employing correlation analysis Students t test and Fischers exact test. (excerpt)