The Effect of Pre-Breastfeeding Breathing Exercises on Maternal Anxiety, Well-being, and Infant Stress in Mothers Whose Infants Are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of breathing exercises on maternal anxiety, well-being, and infant stress in mothers whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This randomized controlled study is conducted at a hospital in eastern Turkey between November 2024 and November 2026, involving mothers who breastfeed and have infants hospitalized in the NICU. The study aims to understand how these exercises may impact both mothers' and infants' stress levels and psychological health. In the study, mothers in the experimental group perform a four-square breathing exercise, which involves inhaling, holding, exhaling, and emptying the lungs to the count of four. They do this exercise three times a day for two days, with each session lasting 5-10 minutes under researcher supervision. The control group receives routine hospital care without breathing exercises but completes questionnaires at similar times. After the study, control group mothers may choose to try the breathing exercise. Participants complete questionnaires measuring anxiety, psychological well-being, and neonatal stress before and after the intervention days. The research uses tools like the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, Psychological Well-being Scale, and Neonatal Stress Scale, collected alongside demographic data. Researchers monitor changes in anxiety and stress scores over the two study days to assess effects. The total study participation lasts for these two days with regular assessments and supervised exercises.

The Effect of Pre-Breastfeeding Breathing Exercises on Maternal Anxiety, Well-being, and Infant Stress in Mothers Whose Infants Are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit