Document Detail


The effects of acute relaxation on indices of anxiety during pregnancy.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16457423     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: Antenatal maternal anxiety has adverse effects on the fetus and the child. In this study we determined whether a short period of directed or of passive relaxation reduced maternal self-rated anxiety, heart rate, plasma catecholamines, cortisol and uterine artery resistance index, in pregnant women. METHODS: Fifty-eight women (28-32 wks gestation) were assigned randomly to a session of directed active or passive (sitting quietly) relaxation. Spielberger self-rating anxiety questionnaires were completed, and a venous blood sample taken, before and after a Doppler scan. RESULTS: Both active and passive relaxation significantly reduced State Anxiety and maternal heart rate, but the effect was significantly greater with the active relaxation. In contrast, the passive relaxation significantly reduced noradrenaline levels whereas active did not. Adrenaline levels were not changed significantly with either type of relaxation. Both methods significantly reduced cortisol, with a trend for the passive to have a greater effect. The active relaxation had no effect on uterine artery blood flow, whereas there was a statistically significant, but clinically negligible, increase in mean resistance index after passive relaxation. CONCLUSION: Both methods reduced maternal State Anxiety and heart rate, the active method more so. However there was a striking lack of correlation with the other biological indices studied. In order to reduce specific biological effects of anxiety during pregnancy, different methods may be needed from those which are most effective at reducing subjective anxiety.
Authors:
J Teixeira; D Martin; O Prendiville; V Glover
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of psychosomatic obstetrics and gynaecology     Volume:  26     ISSN:  0167-482X     ISO Abbreviation:  J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol     Publication Date:  2005 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-02-06     Completed Date:  2006-04-18     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8308648     Medline TA:  J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  271-6     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK. jeronima.teixeira@ic.ac.uk
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Anxiety* / blood,  diagnosis,  therapy
Female
Hemodynamics / physiology
Humans
Hydrocortisone / blood
Norepinephrine / blood
Pregnancy
Questionnaires
Relaxation Therapy*
Ultrasonography, Doppler
Uterus / blood supply,  ultrasonography
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
50-23-7/Hydrocortisone; 51-41-2/Norepinephrine

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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