[Comparison of the effect of dry cupping therapy and acupressure at bl23 point on the primiparous women's intensity of postpartum perineal pain: a randomized clinical trial]

Postpartum Perineal Pain [PPP] is one of the most common problems within the puerperium period particularly among the primiparous women. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dry cupping therapy and acupressure on acupoint BL23 on postpartum perineal pain severity among the primiparous subjects referring tothe selected educational center affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. This clinical trial was conducted on 150 cases in 2012. Cupping therapy was done every other day consecutively 4 times taking 15-20 minutes. Besides, acupressure was applied according to the circular model for 20 minutes. Both interventions were performed max. 8 hours after labor. The patients filled out the VAS questionnaire. Then, the data were analyzed using Chi-square tests.The significance level was considered p<0.05. In the cupping group, the mean difference of postpartum perineal pain intensity reached from 9.0 +/- 1.4 before the intervention to 4.8 +/- 1.6, 2.4 +/- 1.6, and 1.3 +/- 1.2 immediately, 24 hours, and 2 weeks after the intervention, respectively and the results of repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference between the three follow-up periods [p<0.05]. On the other hand, this measure reached from 8.5 +/- 1.8 before the intervention to 6.6 +/- 1.6, 4.6 +/- 1.8, and 3.1 +/- 1.4 immediately, 24 hours, and 2 weeks after the intervention, respectively in the acupressure group, however, the reduction was not significant [p> 0.05]. The results of this study showed that the mentioned techniques led to pain relief. Therefore, given the significant reduction in pain in cupping therapy group, this intervention can be applied as an effective treatment for reducing perineal pain

effect of maternal relaxation training on reactivity of non-stress test, basal fetal heart rate, and number of fetal heart accelerations: a randomized controlled trial

Relaxation-training, as an anxiety-reducer intervention, plays an important role in fetal health. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of maternal relaxation on stress test [NST], basal fetal heart rate, and number of fetal heart accelerations. In this randomized controlled trial, 84 pregnant women were randomly divided into two groups of teaching relaxation and control groups in 2012. In the intervention group, 60-90 minute classes were held every week lasting for 4 weeks. Besides, home practice charts were given to the mothers and researchers controlled the home practices by phone calls every week. The control group received routine prenatal care. In the 4[th] week, NST was performed in the intervention group 30 minutes before and after the 4[th] session. In the control group, NST was done in the 4[th] week. The quantitative variables in the two groups were compared through ANOVA and Chi-square test. The results of paired t-test showed that relaxation could improve the NST results [P=0.01]. Mean and standard deviation of basal fetal heart rate was 138.95 +/- 8.18 before the intervention and 133.07 +/- 6.9 after the intervention. Paired t-test also showed that relaxation reduced the basal fetal heart rate [P=0.001]. Mean and standard deviation of the number of fetal heart accelerations was 1.5 +/- 0.8 before the intervention and 2.2 +/- 0.9 after it. The results of paired t-test also showed that relaxation increased the number of fetal heart accelerations [P=0.001]. Relaxation could improve the NST results, reduce the basal fetal heart rate, and increase the number of fetal heart accelerations. Therefore, relaxation is recommended during pregnancy

effect of fathers' training regarding attachment skills on maternal-fetal attachments among primigravida women: a randomized controlled trial

Fathers' cooperation has been less taken into account in the process of pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of training the fathers regarding attachment skills on maternal-fetal attachment in primigravida women in 2013. This randomized controlled trial was performed on 150 qualified pregnant women's husbands. The intervention group took part in four 90-minute sessions of maternal-fetal attachment training held once a week. On the other hand, the control group received the routine pregnancy care. Both groups completed Spielberger's anxiety scale and Cranley's questionnaire before and after the intervention. Then, the data were analyzed using paired and independent t-test. Besides, P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The intervention group's mean score of attachment was 55.98 +/- 6.99 and 61.90 +/- 5.41 before and after the intervention, respectively. The results of paired t-test revealed a significant difference between the intervention and the control group regarding their mean scores of attachment before and one month after the intervention [P<0.001]. Additionally, the results of independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the five dimensions of the questionnaire, namely interaction with the baby [P<0.001], acceptance of maternal role [P<0.001], differentiation between oneself and the baby [P<0.001], attribution of some features to the baby [P=0.01], and self-devotion [P=0.01]. Training the fathers regarding the attachment behaviors and skills led to an increase in the maternal-fetal attachment scores. Thus, paternal training should be considered in pregnancy care programs

Comparison of attachment and relaxation training effects on anxiety in third trimester and postpartum depression among primipara women

Reducing maternal anxiety has a critical role in maternal and fetal mental and physical health. This study aimed to assess the effect of two anxiety reducing techniques including relaxation and maternal-fetal attachment training on anxiety in third trimester and postpartum depression among primipara women. In this clinical trial, 126 pregnant women were randomly selected and divided into three groups including relaxation training, maternal-fetal attachment skills training, and control group. The participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Spillberger and Beck questionnaires and written consents at baseline. The participants completed the questionnaires after the intervention too. The one way ANOVA and paired /-test were used to analyze the data. At baseline, the mean total anxiety, state and trait anxiety and depression scores were not significantly different between the groups. The ANOVA showed differences in the mean score of anxiety after the intervention [P=0.03] in the intervention groups. There were statistically significant differences between the attachment and control groups [P=0.001]; and the relaxation and control groups [P<001] in terms of the mean score of state anxiety. The ANOVA showed a reduction in the mean score of state anxiety after intervention in the attachment [P=0.02] and relaxation groups [P=0.01]. There was significant difference after the intervention in the mean score of maternal depression [P=0.002] between the attachment and relaxation groups with the control group [P=0.01, P=0.01; respectively]. Attachment and relaxation trainings can reduce maternal anxiety and post-partum depression. Pregnancy visit is an important opportunity to screen maternal anxiety and prevent post-partum depression using simple and non-expensive training programs