Effects of a Relaxation Intervention on Physiological and Psychological Outcomes Among Mothers of Preterm Infants at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah: a Within-subject Randomized Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of four different relaxation techniques on the physical and mental well-being of mothers who are breastfeeding preterm infants. This study focuses on mothers of premature babies born between 28 and 35 weeks gestation, aiming to see how each intervention influences heart rate, blood pressure, fingertip temperature, breast milk cortisol levels, and feelings of relaxation. The goal is to identify which relaxation method works best for this group. The study involves five sessions per participant, each testing a different approach: Guided Imagery Meditation, Religious Recitation, Infant Video with Music, Distraction with News and Media, and a Control session with minimal activity. Each session lasts about 10 to 14 minutes and is spaced 1 to 2 days apart. Participants will experience all five interventions in a randomized order to compare effects within the same mothers. During the study, mothers will have their heart rate, blood pressure, fingertip temperature, and breast milk cortisol measured before and after each session. They will also report their perceived relaxation levels. The study will last about two weeks from enrollment through the completion of all five sessions. Additional measures include breast milk fat, carbohydrate, and total energy content. This research is led by Universiti Putra Malaysia and focuses on Muslim mothers who are non-smokers and currently breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Relaxation Intervention Among Mothers of Preterm Infants in Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS)