Music Listening During NST Monitoring

Biruni University100 enrolled

Overview

This study evaluated whether listening to music during routine non-stress test (NST) monitoring affects fetal parameters and maternal psychological outcomes. NST is a common prenatal assessment, and some pregnant women may experience anxiety or negative emotions during the procedure. Music listening is a non-pharmacological approach that may improve emotional well-being and potentially influence fetal responses. In this randomized controlled trial, pregnant women who attended an NST unit were assigned either to a music group that listened to music through headphones during NST monitoring or to a control group that received routine NST monitoring without music. Fetal parameters were assessed from NST recordings. Maternal anxiety, loneliness, and positive-negative affect were measured before and after the NST using validated questionnaires. The results of this study aim to inform supportive prenatal care practices and evaluate whether music listening can be used as a simple intervention during NST monitoring.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Pregnancy Maternal Anxiety Fetal Well-Being

Interventions

Music Listening During NSTBEHAVIORAL

Participants listened to music through headphones during routine NST monitoring in a left lateral position for at least 20 minutes. The volume was adjusted according to participant preference.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women attending the NST unit during the study period * Aged 18 years or older * Volunteered to participate and provided written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to read and write Turkish * Hearing impairment or mental health conditions limiting participation * Multiple pregnancy

Locations (1)

State University Hospital, Obstetrics Clinic, NST Unit, Istanbul

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maternal State Anxiety

Change in maternal anxiety measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - State Form (STAI-S). Scores range from 20 to 80; higher scores indicate greater anxiety.

Time frame: Baseline (pre-NST) and immediately post-NST (same visit)

Secondary Outcomes

Loneliness (Social and Emotional Loneliness)

Change in loneliness measured using the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults - Short Form (SELSA-S). Total scores range from 15 to 105; higher scores indicate greater loneliness.

Time frame: Baseline (pre-NST) and immediately post-NST (same visit)

Positive and Negative Affect

Change in affect measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Each subscale ranges from 10 to 50; higher positive scores indicate more positive affect and higher negative scores indicate greater negative affect.

Time frame: Baseline (pre-NST) and immediately post-NST (same visit)

Fetal Heart Rate During NST

Fetal heart rate assessed from NST recordings during the monitoring session. Measured in beats per minute; normal patterns (120-140/min) indicate better fetal well-being.

Time frame: During NST monitoring (same visit)

Fetal Movement Count During NST

Number of fetal movements recorded by the mother using the event marker during NST monitoring. Higher counts indicate greater fetal activity.

Time frame: During NST monitoring (same visit).

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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