This is a two-group pretest-posttest, triple-blinded and randomized controlled trial examining the effects of a biofeedback-assisted diaphragmatic breathing training on postpartum anxiety. This study will include full-term postpartum women, aged from 20 to 49, who experienced anxious symptoms with State Anxiety Inventory (A-State) scored 40 or more at the first postpartum day. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 64) or a control group (n = 64). The experimental group will undergo the diaphragmatic breathing training assisted with StressEraser to breath slowly 4-6 times per minute and practice 15 minutes twice daily. Participants in the control condition receive postpartum usual care. The outcome measures include anxiety measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the physiological parameters expressed by blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR). Measurements will be taken at the first postpartum day and one month postpartum. We except this breathing training design is able to improve women's postpartum anxiety, and in turn improve their physio-psychological health, breastfeeding and baby care skills.
Ditto
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
128
Diaphragmatic Breathing Training
Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital
Taipei, Xindian Dist, Taiwan
Postpartum anxiety
Assessments using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) for self-reported anxiety symptoms
Time frame: Baseline: postpartum day 1-3
Postpartum anxiety
Assessments using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) for self-reported anxiety symptoms
Time frame: Post-test: Change from baseline postpartum anxiety at 4 weeks postpartum
Heart rate
Assessments using A\&D sphygmomanometer (Model 767Plus, A\&D Co., LTD., Japan) for heart rate
Time frame: Baseline: postpartum day 1-3
Heart rate
Assessments using A\&D sphygmomanometer (Model 767Plus, A\&D Co., LTD., Japan) for heart rate
Time frame: Post-test: Change from baseline heart rate at 4 weeks postpartum
Blood pressure
Assessments using A\&D sphygmomanometer (Model 767Plus, A\&D Co., LTD., Japan) for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure
Time frame: Baseline: postpartum day 1-3
Blood pressure
Assessments using A\&D sphygmomanometer (Model 767Plus, A\&D Co., LTD., Japan) for systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure
Time frame: Post-test: Change from baseline heart rate at 4 weeks postpartum
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