Prenatal Intervention of Maternal Stress - Breastfeeding & Infant Neurodevelopment
PRIMAS-BIN
The Impact of Prenatal Stress Management Program on Maternal Breastfeeding and Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Parameters
3 other identifiers
interventional
162
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether antenatal maternal stress management using relaxation techniques improves breastfeeding effectiveness and neonatal neurodevelopmental outcomes. It is hypothesized that reducing maternal stress during pregnancy will enhance the initiation and continuation of exclusive breastfeeding until six months postpartum. The management of antenatal maternal stress is expected to be reflected in both the newborn's behavior and proteins associated with neurodevelopment, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Reelin. The main research questions of this study include the following:
- 1.Does stress management in pregnant women using relaxation techniques increase the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding at one and six months postpartum?
- 2.Does it impact neonatal and infant growth and behavior?
- 3.Does it alter neurotrophin levels in the fetus? This trial will provide insight into the potential benefits of prenatal stress reduction for both maternal and infant health outcomes.
- 4."If prenatal stress management leads to changes in neurotrophins in the fetus, could these changes be linked to the success and duration of breastfeeding, as well as the infant's growth and behavior?
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Feb 2018
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
February 1, 2018
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 15, 2023
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
September 10, 2024
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
February 9, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
March 14, 2025
CompletedMarch 14, 2025
March 1, 2025
5.9 years
February 9, 2025
March 7, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (6)
Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Across Study Groups
This outcome will assess maternal confidence in breastfeeding and actual breastfeeding before childbirth using the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (PBSES), a validated tool that measures prenatal maternal perceived ability to breastfeed successfully. The PBSES consists of 20 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with a SUM score ranging from 20 (minimum) to 100 (maximum). Scores will be recorded without a cutoff point, with higher scores indicating greater prenatal maternal confidence in breastfeeding. Comparisons will be conducted among the three study groups to evaluate differences in PBSES scores based on the intervention received. Statistical analysis will include the comparisons across study groups using ANOVA or non-parametric equivalents. Regression models to explore potential predictors of higher or lower prenatal self-efficacy.
1) between 15 - 20 week of gestation and 2) between 35-38 weeks gestation before child birth
Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy across the study groups and the time frames
Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy will be assessed using the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), a validated questionnaire measuring maternal confidence in breastfeeding. The BSES consists of 14 items, each rated on a 5-point scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree). The final score is calculated as the sum of all item scores, with higher scores indicating greater breastfeeding self-efficacy. Minimum Value is 14 (lowest BSES score) and Maximum Value is70 (highest BSES score) Comparative analyses will be conducted across the three study groups to evaluate differences in self-efficacy levels.
At 1 and 6 months postpartum
Breastfeeding Outcomes Across Study Groups
Breastfeeding outcomes will be derived from responses to selected PRAMS questions, which indirectly indicate exclusivity. Breastfeeding success will be numerically categorized (1 = Exclusive breastfeeding, 2 = Any breastfeeding, 3 = No breastfeeding) to allow for statistical comparison with Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) scores. The analysis will examine whether higher BSES scores are associated with exclusive or any breastfeeding.
at 1 and 6 Months Postpartum
Neurotrophin Levels as Neurodevelopmental Parameters in Maternal Serum and Umbilical Cord Blood across the study groups
The levels of neurotrophins, specifically brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Reelin, will be assessed as neurodevelopmental biomarkers in maternal serum at 15-20 weeks and 36-37 weeks of gestation, and in umbilical cord blood at birth. Neurotrophin quantification will be performed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method, following standardized protocols. Results will be expressed in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), and comparative analyses will be conducted to evaluate differences across the three study groups and at different time points.
In Maternal serum: 1) between the 15th -20th weeks of gestation and 2) at 36-37 weeks of gestation .Additionally Neurotrophins will be measured In Umbilical cord blood: At birth
Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Across Study Groups
Neonatal behavior will be assessed using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), conducted by a personnel trained in administering and scoring the instrumental tool . NBAS contains a large number of individual items scored on a 9-point scale and reflexes scored on a 4-point scale . The evaluated items will be categorized into eight clusters, with scores representing the mean of the item scores within each cluster. The clusters and the number of items per cluster are: 1. Habituation (4 items) , 2. Social -Interactive (7 items) , 3. Motor System (5 items), 4. State Organization(4 items), 5. State Regulation (4 items), 6. Autonomic System (3 items) , 7. Reflexes (18 items), 8. Supplementary Items (7 items)-Additional behavioral observations.
4-7 days postpartum
Infant Behavioral Assessment Across Study Groups
Infant behavior will be assessed using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Short Form (IBQ-R SF), completed by parents. The IBQ-R SF consists of 91 items, each rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1 = Never, 7 = Always). Scores are averaged within each of the 14 behavioral subscales, which are further grouped into three broad temperament dimensions. The final score for each subscale or dimension is calculated as the mean of the corresponding item scores, providing a standardized numerical measurement of infant temperament for comparative analyses across the three study groups.
IBQ-R SF will be measured at 6 months postpartum
Secondary Outcomes (16)
Correlation Between Maternal age and Breastfeeding success
breastfeeding outcomes : at 1 and 6 month postpartum.
Correlation Between Maternal Socioeconomic Status and Breastfeeding success
Household income will be assessed between the 15th and 20th week of gestation, while breastfeeding outcomes will be measured at 1 and 6 months postpartum.
correlation of maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and Breastfeeding success across the three study groups.
BMI assessment: Pre-pregnancy (self-reported) and at delivery (clinically measured) Breastfeeding outcomes assessment: 1 and 6 months postpartum
Correlation Between Anxiety and Breastfeeding success
STAI assessment: prenatally at 15-20 and 35-38 weeks of gestation . Postnatally, Breastfeeding outcomes assessment: at 1 and 6 months postpartum.
Correlation Between Pregnancy-Related Anxiety (PRAQ-R2) and Breastfeeding Success across study groups
PRAQ-R2 assessment: Between 15-20 and 35-38 weeks of gestation Breastfeeding outcomes assessment: 1 and 6 months postpartum
- +11 more secondary outcomes
Other Outcomes (7)
Correlation of Mother-child attachment and breastfeeding success
At 6 months postpartum
Correlation of Neonatal and Infant Anthropometric parameters with breastfeeding success across the study groups
Neonatal anthropometric measurements: At birth Infant anthropometric measurements: 1 and 6 months postpartum Breastfeeding outcomes assessment: 1 and 6 months postpartum
Correlation Between prenatal Cortisol Levels and Perceived Stress (PSS-14)
Prenatal cortisol & PSS-14 assessment: 15-20 and 35-38 weeks of gestation. Postnatal PSS-14 assessment: 1 and 6 months postpartum
- +4 more other outcomes
Study Arms (3)
Behavioral: Relaxation & Breastfeeding Education
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in the intervention group (primiparous pregnant women) receive: 1. Training in relaxation techniques, including guided breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization methods. 2. Breastfeeding education, covering topics such as proper latching, milk production, and infant feeding schedules. The intervention consists of 8-10 structured sessions, beginning in the second trimester (gestational weeks 15-20) and continuing until the 36th week of gestation. Sessions are conducted in a structured format by trained professionals.
Behavioral : Breastfeeding Education Alone
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in the Active Comparator group receive 8-10 individual lessons covering: Pregnancy education, Breastfeeding techniques and best practices, Childbirth preparation, Newborn care essentials, Understanding infant cues and responses. These sessions are delivered in a structured format by trained professionals. No relaxation techniques are included in this intervention.
Standard Maternity Care (Control Group)
OTHERParticipants in the control group receive only the standard maternity care provided by health services during pregnancy. The maternity hospital is designated as a Baby-Friendly Hospital and follows its established guidelines and principles. Standard care includes routine prenatal check-ups and general health services. The hospital also offers psycho-prophylactic preparation for normal childbirth and one breastfeeding course, both led by midwife trainers. No additional intervention, such as relaxation techniques or structured breastfeeding education, is provided to this group.
Interventions
Pregnant women in this group will be trained in 10 individual interactive sessions, focusing on relaxation techniques and breastfeeding including: 1. Diaphragmatic breathing 2. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) - tailored for pregnant women. 3. Guided imagery 4. the analysis of the concept of stress and stress management strategies for pregnancy including Cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT principles) 5. Mindfulness-based pregnancy adaptation including positive thinking and wellbeing during pregnancy . 6. Pregnancy stages. 7. Benefits of breastfeeding. 8. Breastfeeding guide and practical applications. 9. Labor stages and childbirth preparation. 10. Newborn and infant needs at home Every relaxation technique training will last 20 minutes practice in every session Additionally pregnant women will be practiced at least 3 times weekly during pregnancy
Participants in this group will receive only interactive online education, focusing exclusively on breastfeeding and newborn care. The Programme included ten remote sessions: 1. Pregnancy stages. 2. Benefits of breastfeeding. 3. Skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in during the first days. 4. The role of breastfeeding in maternal emotional well-being. 5. Breastfeeding guide and practical applications. 6. Maternal nutrition during breastfeeding. 7. Common breastfeeding challenges. 8. The father's role in breastfeeding support. 9. Labor stages and childbirth preparation 10. Newborn and infant needs at home.
This group will received only standard prenatal and postnatal care at a Baby-Friendly Hospital, which adheres to WHO and UNICEF guidelines for breastfeeding support. They did not participate in additional structured educational programs or relaxation training.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Primiparous pregnant women
- weeks of Gestational Age
- Intention to give birth at the specific maternity hospital
- Greek women or foreigners who know the Greek language very well
- Place of residence: Greece
You may not qualify if:
- Use of benzodiazepines, major neuroleptics, or psychostimulant medications.
- Pregnant women diagnosed with incurable physical or mental diseases.
- Pregnant women carrying fetuses or newborns with major congenital anomalies or criteria for perinatal asphyxia.
- Pregnant women with stillbirths or newborns who do not survive.
- All mothers and their newborns born before 34 weeks of gestation or requiring hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for more than 7 days.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Maternity Hospital "ELENA VENIZELOU"
Athens, Attica, 11521, Greece
Related Publications (31)
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MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Tania Siahanidou Associate Professor in Pediatrics - Neonatology, MD, PhD
1st_Dept.of Pediatrics_Athens_University_Medical School_Aghia Sophia_Children's Hosp_Athens_11527_GR
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Aikaterini Fotiou, MD, MSc
Neonatal Dept_Maternity Hosp_Elena Venizelou_2_Plateia Elenas Venizelou Str_Athens 115 21_GR
- STUDY CHAIR
George P. Chrousos Prof. Emeritus of Pediatrics & Endocrinology_Academician, MD, MACP, MACE
National & Kapodistrian Univ. of Athens_Research_Inst. for Mother-Child Health_Aghia Sophia_Hosp.
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- SUPPORTIVE CARE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- MD, MSc, Pediatrician -Neonatologist, Director of Neonatal Dept/NICU, General and Maternity Hospital "Helena Venizelou", Athens, Greece
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
February 9, 2025
First Posted
March 14, 2025
Study Start
February 1, 2018
Primary Completion
December 15, 2023
Study Completion
September 10, 2024
Last Updated
March 14, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-03
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Individual participant data (IPD) collected during this study will not be shared with other researchers outside the study team. The data will be used exclusively for statistical analysis by the designated statistician. Data access will remain restricted until the completion, approval, and first official publication of the doctoral dissertation at the university.