Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34535120›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2021

Acute relaxation during pregnancy leads to a reduction in maternal electrodermal activity and self-reported stress levels.

Ilena Bauer, Julia Hartkopf, Anna-Karin Wikström, Nora K Schaal, Hubert Preissl, Birgit Derntl, Franziska Schleger

Open access · goldAbstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 20% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Ilena BauerGerman Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), fMEG-Center, Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich/ fMEG Center, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 47, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany. ilena.bauer@uni-tuebingen.de.
Julia HartkopfGerman Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), fMEG-Center, Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich/ fMEG Center, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 47, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
Anna-Karin WikströmDepartment of Women's and Children's health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Nora K SchaalDepartment of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany.
Hubert PreisslGerman Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), fMEG-Center, Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich/ fMEG Center, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 47, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
Birgit DerntlDepartment for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
Franziska SchlegerGerman Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), fMEG-Center, Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich/ fMEG Center, University of Tuebingen, Otfried-Müller-Strasse 47, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany.
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf · DEGerman Center for Diabetes Research · DEUniversity of Tübingen · DEUppsala University · SE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPrenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development. Relaxation techniques have been examined as potential countermeasures. This study investigates different relaxation techniques and their effect on self-reported stress levels and physiological stress levels in pregnant women.

methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 38 pregnant women in their 30th to 40th gestational week were assigned to one of three, 20-min lasting relaxation groups: listening to music (N = 12), following a guided imagery (N = 12) or resting (N = 12). The intervention, i.e., acute relaxation (music, guided imagery or resting) took place once for each study participant. Study inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, German speaking, singleton and uncomplicated pregnancy during the 30th and 40th week of gestation. The stress levels were determined during the study. Current stress level during the study was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Chronic stress levels were assessed by the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress and the Pregnancy Distress questionnaire. Multivariate analyses of covariance were performed and dependent measures included stress levels as well as physiological measures, i.e., cardiovascular activity (electrocardiogram) and skin conductance levels.

resultsAll three forms of relaxation led to reduced maternal stress which manifested itself in significantly decreased skin conductance, F(3,94) = 18.011, p = .001, η

conclusionIndependent of relaxation technique, single, 20-min relaxation intervention (music, guided imagery or resting) can significantly reduce maternal stress. Notably, women at an earlier stage in their pregnancy reported higher relaxation after the intervention than women later in gestation. Hence, gestational age may influence perceived stress levels and should be considered when evaluating relaxation or stress management interventions during pregnancy.

trial registrationNot applicable.

Indexed as

RelaxationStress, PhysiologicalAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGalvanic Skin ResponseGermanyGestational AgeHumansImagery, PsychotherapyMusicPregnancySelf ReportStress, PsychologicalYoung AdultElectrodermal activityHeart rateMaternal stressPregnancyRelaxation

Identifiers

PMID34535120
PMCPMC8447712
OpenAlexW3199906821

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.