Music intervention during non-stress test and its effects on maternal anxiety, maternal vital signs and fetal parameters: A quasi-experimental study.

introductionThere is limited research on the impact of music intervention during the non-stress test. More investigation is required on whether and how music impacts non-stress test results and pregnant women's mood. The current study aimed to examine the effect of the non-stress test on pregnant women's anxiety levels and the effect of music on maternal anxiety levels, pregnant women's vital signs, and fetal parameters.

methodsA quasi-experimental study of two phases, involving one group, with a pre-and post-test, was performed at a private maternity and birth preparation center in Greece. Thirty-eight participants completed a scale for anxiety measurement (STAI) during their late third trimester; their vital signs were obtained, and the fetal parameters were recorded during the two phases of the study. During Phase 2, the music intervention, which referred to the exposure of pregnant women to musical stimuli during the non-stress test (NST), was carried out.

resultsParticipants' state anxiety with (mean=27.87, SD=4.55) or without music intervention (mean=31.16, SD=7.74) showed a significant score reduction after the completion of the NST (p=0.009), which was significantly greater with the music intervention (p<0.001). Levels of trait anxiety before the NST (mean=39.66, SD=5.44) and after its completion (mean=38.00, SD=5.39) showed a significant score reduction when there was music intervention (p<0.001). At the NST's twelfth minute, participants' systolic blood pressure was significantly lower when there was the music intervention (mean=93.2, SD=16.4 vs mean=99.5, SD=10.7, p=0.030), as well as at twenty minutes (mean=93, SD=8 vs mean=100, SD=9.7, p<0.001). Participants' heart rate did not differ significantly between the examination with music (mean=85.9, SD=10.4) or without music (mean=84.9, SD=11.4) at baseline (p=0.506) or at other periods. Fetal movements increased significantly more in the last ten minutes of the NST compared to the first ten minutes, only when the NST was performed without music intervention (p=0.048). Accelerations were similar regardless of the presence or absence of music in the first ten minutes (p=0.235) and the last ten minutes (p=0.128), but they were increased significantly more in the last ten minutes of the NST compared to the first ten minutes, only when the NST was performed without music intervention (p=0.019).

conclusionsMaternal anxiety levels decreased following both the music intervention and the completion of the non-stress test. Music affected blood pressure and maintained stable fetal movements and accelerations. The preliminary findings of the present nonrandomized, quasi-experimental study, with one pre- and post-test group, indicate that music may be a potentially available option in midwifery.