The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise

Karabuk University40 enrolled

Overview

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of a childbirth preparation program that includes progressive relaxation exercises on pregnant women's preferences for mode of delivery, their experience of labour pain, and breastfeeding comfort. Participants in the intervention group will receive a specially developed educational booklet and an audio CD with guided exercises, along with face-to-face training sessions. The control group will receive standard prenatal care. The study will help determine whether relaxation-based training can support women in coping with labour more comfortably and influence their choices and early postpartum experiences.

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a childbirth preparation education program that incorporates progressive relaxation exercises. The intervention was developed to address the physical and psychological challenges pregnant women face, particularly in managing labour pain, making informed decisions about mode of delivery, and achieving comfort in early breastfeeding. The study will be conducted in four stages. First, a childbirth preparation booklet including progressive relaxation techniques will be created based on current literature and expert guidance. Second, the content will be reviewed by a panel of experts to ensure content validity. Third, eligible pregnant women will receive in-person training sessions supported by the booklet and a relaxation exercise CD developed by the Turkish Psychological Association. Lastly, participants will be instructed to practice the exercises daily at home, and the effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated using validated measurement tools. The trial will be conducted in Samsun, Türkiye, and will include 40 pregnant women meeting specific inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Outcomes will be measured using established scales such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for labour pain, LATCH for breastfeeding, and a postpartum comfort scale. The results of this study may contribute to the development of accessible, low-cost, and culturally appropriate childbirth education strategies in Türkiye and globally.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

Interventions

Progressive Relaxation-Based Childbirth Preparation ProgramBEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of a childbirth preparation program that integrates progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises. Participants receive face-to-face education by trained health professionals, a printed booklet explaining both childbirth preparation and PMR techniques, and an audio CD with guided relaxation sessions produced by the Turkish Psychological Association. The participants are instructed to perform the relaxation exercises daily at home until delivery. The goal of this intervention is to reduce labour pain, support informed mode of delivery preference, and enhance breastfeeding comfort in the early postpartum period.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 49 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged between 18 and 49 years * Currently pregnant * Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent * Able to attend the planned training sessions regularly * No complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum for themselves or their newborn Exclusion Criteria: * Not within the age range of 18-49 * Not currently pregnant * Fails to complete study questionnaires or withdraws from the study * Has communication difficulties or cognitive impairment * Fails to attend training sessions regularly * Has open wounds or allergic skin conditions * Develops postpartum complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, fever) * Has cardiac arrhythmia or uses a pacemaker * Diagnosed with conditions such as epilepsy or pre-eclampsia * Has kidney or liver disease * Previously practiced progressive muscle relaxation techniques * Is morbidly obese (BMI \> 40) * Uses chronic opioids, antidepressants, or psychoactive medications

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

During active labour (at 4-7 cm cervical dilation

Labour pain will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 10-point self-reported pain scale. Higher scores indicate more intense pain.

Time frame: within 5 hours after the start of labor

Secondary Outcomes

The type of birth and the type of birth they want during pregnancy.

The preferred and actual mode of delivery (vaginal vs. caesarean section) will be recorded and compared between intervention and control groups.

Time frame: 36-38 weeks of pregnancy and within 2 days after birth

Breastfeeding Comfort

Breastfeeding comfort will be evaluated using the Postnatal Comfort Scale

Time frame: Within 2 hours after delivery (Within 24 hours after delivery)

Pain Intensity Score

Pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).