The effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation therapy in reducing childbirth-related anxiety among primigravida pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study
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Abstract
Introduction: Childbirth-related anxiety is commonly experienced by primigravida pregnant women and may negatively affect maternal psychological readiness for labor. Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a non-pharmacological intervention that may help reduce anxiety during pregnancy. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design conducted among 30 third-trimester primigravida pregnant women with mild to moderate anxiety. Participants were selected using total population sampling. The PMR intervention consisted of guided relaxation sessions involving sequential muscle tension and release combined with controlled breathing for 20–25 minutes. Anxiety levels were measured before and after the intervention using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety scores following the PMR intervention. Before the intervention, most participants experienced moderate anxiety, whereas after the intervention, the majority demonstrated mild anxiety. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between pretest and posttest anxiety scores (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Progressive Muscle Relaxation therapy is effective in reducing childbirth-related anxiety among primigravida pregnant women. PMR can be recommended as a safe, simple, and low-cost complementary intervention in antenatal care to enhance maternal psychological preparedness for childbirth.
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Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0278432
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