Effect of Music and Warm Foot Bath Therapy on Pregnancy-Related Anxiety, Blood Pressure and Quality of Life

Kırklareli University144 enrolled

Overview

Study Title: The Effects of Music Therapy and Warm Foot Bath on Pregnancy-Related Stress, Blood Pressure, and Quality of Life in Low-Risk Primigravida Women Brief Summary: This randomized controlled trial investigates the impact of music therapy and warm foot bath therapy on pregnancy-related anxiety, blood pressure levels, and quality of life in low-risk primigravida pregnant women. Participants will be randomly assigned into four groups: music therapy, warm foot bath therapy, combined therapy, and control group. The interventions will be carried out for 2 weeks with pre- and post-assessments of anxiety and quality of life.

Pregnancy is a period of significant physiological and psychological changes that can increase anxiety levels in women. This study aims to assess whether non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy (handpan music) and warm foot baths can reduce anxiety, regulate blood pressure, and improve the quality of life in low-risk primigravida pregnant women at 26 weeks of gestation and above. A total of 144 participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups and followed for two weeks. Data collection tools will include the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI TX-1 and TX-2), blood pressure monitoring forms, and EQ-5D quality of life scale.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

144

Conditions

Primigravida Women

Interventions

Music TherapyOTHER

The music therapy intervention consists of listening sessions using specially recorded handpan music, designed to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety in pregnant women. The handpan is a melodic percussion instrument known for its soothing and harmonic sound qualities. Participants will listen to a 30-minute handpan music recording at home, in a quiet and dimly lit room, while resting in a semi-fowler or left lateral position. The sound volume will be kept below 60 decibels to ensure comfort and prevent overstimulation. Sessions will be scheduled three times per week, in the morning and evening, over a two-week period. Before each session, participants will be reminded by phone and instructed to measure their blood pressure immediately prior to and at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after the music listening. The therapy aims to create a calming environment that encourages positive thoughts and bonding with the fetus.

warm water foot bath therapyOTHER

The warm water foot bath therapy involves soaking the participant's feet in water heated to 37-40°C for 10-15 minutes per session. This therapy is designed to promote relaxation, improve peripheral circulation, and reduce anxiety symptoms. Participants will perform the foot bath in a safe and comfortable setting, ensuring water temperature is monitored with a thermometer before each session. After soaking, feet should be thoroughly dried to prevent slipping, and participants are advised to have a companion nearby when standing up to avoid falls. The intervention will be applied three times weekly, in the morning and evening, over a two-week period. Blood pressure measurements will be taken immediately before and at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after each session.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 39 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * 18-39 years of age, * Literate; able to make an informed decision to participate, communicate verbally, and sign a consent form * Pregnant with a single, live fetus * Have a smartphone * Low-risk primigravida pregnant with a gestational age of 26 weeks or more Exclusion Criteria: * \- Having hearing impairment, * Refusing to participate, * Being illiterate, * Having communication problems, * Being hospitalized with severe preeclampsia, * The newborn not surviving. * Antepartum hemorrhage * Preeclampsia, * Gestational hypertension, * Cervical insufficiency, * Having pregnancy-related complications such as congenital fetal anomalies and intrauterine growth restriction diagnosed before 28 weeks of gestation or having multiple pregnancies; * Having psychiatric disorders (known anxiety or depression, other illnesses), * Having medical problems such as endocrine disorders (gestational diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, etc.); * Having assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, or * Pregnant women at risk of preterm birth will not be included in the study.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in State Anxiety Score

It consists of two subscales of 20 items each measuring state and trait anxiety. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) asks the individual to describe how he/she feels at a particular moment and under certain conditions; the Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI) asks the individual to describe how he/she feels in general. The inventory is rated on a 4-point scale. Higher scores indicate higher levels of anxiety. In Spielberger's State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, 0-19 points are considered as No Anxiety, 20-39 points as Mild Anxiety, 40-59 points as Moderate Anxiety, 60-79 points as Severe Anxiety and 80 points as Panic.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, and Day 14

EQ-5D General Quality of Life Scale

The scale is a short, generic instrument used to define quality of life and to assign a quantitative value to health status. It consists of a VAS scale (excellent health to death) and 5 3-choice questions (mobility, self-care, usual daily tasks, pain discomfort, anxiety demoralization). The answers to each item have 3 options: no problem, some problem and major problem. As a result, the scale identifies 243 possible different health outcomes. An index score ranging from -0.59 to 1 is calculated from the 5 dimensions of the scale. In the score function, a value of 0 indicates death, a value of 1 indicates perfect health, while negative values indicate conditions such as unconsciousness, living bedridden, etc.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, and Day 14

blood pressure Measurement

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be measured at rest using a standardized sphygmomanometer immediately before the intervention, and at 0, 30, and 60 minutes after the intervention sessions.

Time frame: Days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12; with measurements at pre-, immediate post-, 30-min post-, and 60-min post-intervention, morning and evening sessions.