The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercise

NCT07090902 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2023/1493KBÜBAP-24-YL-010
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of a childbirth preparation program that includes progressive relaxation exercises on pregnant women's preferences for mode of delivery, their experience of labour pain, and breastfeeding comfort. Participants in the intervention group will receive a specially developed educational booklet and an audio CD with guided exercises, along with face-to-face training sessions. The control group will receive standard prenatal care. The study will help determine whether relaxation-based training can support women in coping with labour more comfortably and influence their choices and early postpartum experiences.

Conditions

Breastfeeding; Pregnancy; Labor Pain

Keywords

Progressive relaxation exercise; labor pain; delivery method; breastfeeding

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• During active labour (at 4-7 cm cervical dilation

  Labour pain will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 10-point self-reported pain scale. Higher scores indicate more intense pain.

  within 5 hours after the start of labor

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• The type of birth and the type of birth they want during pregnancy.

  36-38 weeks of pregnancy and within 2 days after birth

• Breastfeeding Comfort

  Within 2 hours after delivery (Within 24 hours after delivery)

• Pain Intensity Score

  within 5 hours after the start of labor

Study Arms (2)

Progressive Relaxation-Based Childbirth Preparation Program

EXPERIMENTAL

A structured education program including progressive muscle relaxation techniques delivered through face-to-face instruction, printed materials, and a guided CD. Participants are asked to follow daily exercises at home until birth.

Behavioral: Progressive Relaxation-Based Childbirth Preparation Program

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will receive standard antenatal care provided by the hospital. No additional childbirth education or relaxation training will be offered.

Interventions

Progressive Relaxation-Based Childbirth Preparation Program BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of a childbirth preparation program that integrates progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises. Participants receive face-to-face education by trained health professionals, a printed booklet explaining both childbirth preparation and PMR techniques, and an audio CD with guided relaxation sessions produced by the Turkish Psychological Association. The participants are instructed to perform the relaxation exercises daily at home until delivery. The goal of this intervention is to reduce labour pain, support informed mode of delivery preference, and enhance breastfeeding comfort in the early postpartum period.

Also known as: PMR-Enhanced Antenatal Program

Progressive Relaxation-Based Childbirth Preparation Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 49 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female participants aged between 18 and 49 years
• Currently pregnant
• Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent
• Able to attend the planned training sessions regularly
• No complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum for themselves or their newborn

You may not qualify if:

• Not within the age range of 18-49
• Not currently pregnant
• Fails to complete study questionnaires or withdraws from the study
• Has communication difficulties or cognitive impairment
• Fails to attend training sessions regularly
• Has open wounds or allergic skin conditions
• Develops postpartum complications (e.g., bleeding, infection, fever)
• Has cardiac arrhythmia or uses a pacemaker
• Diagnosed with conditions such as epilepsy or pre-eclampsia
• Has kidney or liver disease
• Previously practiced progressive muscle relaxation techniques
• Is morbidly obese (BMI \> 40)
• Uses chronic opioids, antidepressants, or psychoactive medications

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karabuk University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Samsun, Karabük Province, 78500, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Sercekus P, Baskale H. Effects of antenatal education on fear of childbirth, maternal self-efficacy and parental attachment. Midwifery. 2016 Mar;34:166-172. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2015.11.016. Epub 2015 Nov 27.

  PMID: 26656473 RESULT

• Liu K, Chen Y, Wu D, Lin R, Wang Z, Pan L. Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020 May;39:101132. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101132. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

  PMID: 32379667 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding; Labor Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study. No masking is applied to participants, care providers, outcome assessors, or investigators.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: This is a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with two arms: one intervention group receiving childbirth preparation training with progressive relaxation exercises, and one control group receiving standard prenatal care.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2025
• First Posted: July 29, 2025
• Study Start: August 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 25, 2025
• Study Completion: October 20, 2025
• Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)