The effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program and deep relaxation exercises on pregnancy-related anxiety levels: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The present study aimed to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and deep relaxation exercises on pregnancy-related anxiety levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized parallel-group controlled trial was conducted with 95 pregnant women (MBSR: n = 32, deep relaxation exercises: n = 31, control: n = 32) between 1 August and 15 October 2022 with pregnant women who were registered at the pregnancy outpatient clinics of a hospital in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. CONSORT guidelines were followed in our study. The participants in the MBSR group were given an eight-session MBSR program, consisting of two sessions per week for 4 weeks, whereas the participants in the deep relaxation exercises group were asked to do exercises at home with deep relaxation videos four times a week for 4 weeks. The participants in the control group received only routine prenatal care. RESULTS: The mean PRAQ-R2 Fear of Giving Birth subscale scores of the participants in the MBSR and deep relaxation exercises groups after the intervention were lower than that of the participants in the control group. Additionally, the mean total PRAQ-R2, PRAQ-R2 Worries about Bearing a Physically or Mentally Handicapped Child subscale and PRAQ-R2 Concern about One's Own Appearance subscale scores of the participants in the MBSR group were found to be significantly lower than the scores of those in the deep relaxation exercises and control groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The MBSR program is an effective method for reducing pregnancy-related anxiety levels. Additionally, deep relaxation exercises are alternative practices for reducing the fear of giving birth among pregnant women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05447000.

The Effects of MBSR Programme on Prenatal Comfort and Fetal Health Anxiety in Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the effect of the online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme applied to pregnant women on their prenatal comfort and foetal anxiety levels. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This randomised controlled study was conducted between July and October 2022, with 89 pregnant women registered in a Family Health Centre of Adiyaman, located in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. In the study, a total of eight sessions of MBSR programme, one session per week for eight weeks, were applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group. Data of the study was collected with the 'Personal Information Form', 'Prenatal Comfort Scale (PCS)', and 'Fetal Health Anxiety Inventory (FHAI)'. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and t-test for independent and dependent samples were utilised in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: It has been determined that the PCS total mean score after the intervention is 58.91 ± 7.18 in the experimental group and 50.56 ± 15.78 in the control group; the post-test FHAI total mean score is 4.52 ± 1.66 in the experimental group and 9.76 ± 5.00 in the control group, and the difference between the groups is statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It has been determined that the MBSR programme applied to pregnant women has increased the prenatal comfort levels of pregnant women and has decreased foetal health anxieties. In line with these results, it is recommended that the MBSR programme may be used as an alternative method to relieve pregnant women.

Melon seed: A nutritionally valuable by-product and its effects on cake quality.

Incorporating by-products and waste materials with nutritional and industrial potential into food formulations is an important consideration. Melon seeds, known for their nutritious compounds, are often treated as waste. This study aimed to improve the nutritional properties of cakes by adding melon seed flour (MSF), which contains high levels of ash, lipid, protein, and fiber, as a substitute for whole wheat flour and fat at concentrations of 40% and 60%. The primary fatty acid identified was linoleic acid, while the dominant amino acid in the samples was glutamic acid, followed by proline and leucine. It is noteworthy that potassium and magnesium content in MSF was about five times higher than control. The substitution of MSF did not cause a significant change in the structural properties of the cakes but led to a decrease in the firmness, springiness, and chewiness. Consumer acceptance, based on sensory evaluation, indicated that cakes with 40% MSF substitution were well-received. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that melon seeds, previously considered waste, can serve as a good alternative source of fiber, fat, and protein in bakery products.

Effects of tele-education given based on the health belief model on mode of delivery tendencies in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean sections, which have a high risk of maternal and neonatal complications and increase health expenditures, have become a global problem. Hence, it is extremely important to encourage women to have normal deliveries. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of tele-education given to nulliparous pregnant women based on the health belief model (HBM) on their normal delivery beliefs and tendencies. METHODS: This randomized-controlled study was conducted with 149 nulliparous pregnant women. Participants in the experimental group received a tele-education programme in 8 sessions prepared in line with the health belief model regarding normal delivery for 15 days. The data was collected by using the "Pregnancy Information Form" and "Belief Scale for Normal Delivery (BSND)". RESULTS: After the tele-education programme, the post-test BSND mean score was 89.90±14.10 in the experimental group and 78.80±12.65 in the control group, where the difference between them was significant (p < 0.01). Additionally, the post-test mean scores of participants in the experimental group in all BSND's subdimensions were significantly higher than those of the women in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The tele-education given in line with the HBM increased the belief and tendency levels of the nulliparous pregnant women towards normal delivery.

The impact of foot massage given to postmenopausal women on anxiety, fatigue, and sleep: a randomized-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the impact of foot massage given to postmenopausal women on anxiety, fatigue, and sleep. METHODS: This randomized-controlled study was conducted with 70 women (35 experimental, 35 control) who resided in a village located in Northern Turkey. In the study, the women in the experimental group were given foot massage once every day for 7 days. No intervention was applied to the women in the control group. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage distribution, median, and Q1-Q3), χ 2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test were used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: It was found that the women in the control group had lower pretest BAI scores than those in the experimental group ( P < 0.05), whereas before the foot massage intervention, the women in the experimental and control groups had similar FSS scores and sleep hours ( P > 0.05). After the foot massage, the FSS scores were 2.3 (1.6-3.4) in the experimental group and 5.5 (4.6-6.2) in the control group, the BAI scores were 26.0 (23.0-29.0) in the experimental group and 36.0 (31.0-43.0) in the control group, the daily sleep hours were 8.0 (8.0-10.0) in the experimental group and 7.0 (6.0-8.0) in the control group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that foot massage applied during menopause increases the average daily sleep duration (hours) and reduces women's fatigue and anxiety levels.

Integration of technology to clinical teaching:The impact of mobile and web-based software automation designed for midwifery students on motivation, time management and anxiety levels.

AIM: This study was performed to assess the impact of a mobile and web-based software system named Midwifery Clinical Automation (EBEKO) and designed by researchers to be used in clinical practices on motivation, time management and anxiety level. METHOD: The sample of this randomized controlled trial consisted of 60 midwifery students who were randomly and equally assigned to the experimental and control groups. Data were collected between February and May 2019 using "Student Introduction Form", "Motivation Resources and Problems Scale (MRPS)", "Time Management Inventory (TMI)" and "Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI I-II). EBEKO application was designed as a software system ensuring mutual interaction between students and instructors. Students in the experimental group and all instructors of the department of midwifery were trained in terms of using the system. Students were asked to upload the data regarding midwifery care, monitoring and trainings utilized within the clinical practices to the EBEKO. Data uploaded to the system were transferred to the screen designed for the instructors who were in charge. Instructors assessed these forms (for pregnant women/puerperal women/newborns etc.), demanded revisions, approved or returned. Approved forms corresponded to the number of forms needed by the students in the study to graduate. All students in the experimental group used EBEKO system throughout their education period (14 weeks). No interventions were made on the students in the control group. Data were analyzed through the descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, min-max values), and t-test in the dependent and independent groups. RESULTS: Students in the experimental and control groups were found to have similar motivation, time management and anxiety level prior to the use of EBEKO. However, after the use of the application, the mean post-test motivation and time management scores of the students in the experimental group significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.001, p<0.05), but no significant difference regarding the anxiety levels was present between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: EBEKO was found to positively affect the motivation and time management of midwifery students.

Determination of the relationship between the fatigue and social support levels of cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cancer is seen as one of the most important health problems of our time. In the world and in our country, the most common death cause after cardiovascular diseases in the order of diseases that result in death is cancer. This descriptive, cross-sectional study is done in order to determine the relationship between fatigue and social support levels of cancer patients. METHODS: Research was carried out in Cukurova University Hospital in Adana, which is located in the south of Turkey, between December 2014 and December 2015. Data were collected by interview form prepared by the researcher, Piper Fatigue Scale and Social Support Patient Form. Data was analyzed by percentile, mean, independent t test, one-way analysis of variance, correlation and multiple regression. RESULTS: The average score of Social Support Patient Form is 131.1 ± 15.5, and Piper Fatigue Scale total score mean of the participants is 5.8 ± 2.4. A low level of negative correlation was found between the social support to cancer patients scale emotional support subdimension and the Piper Fatigue Scale affective subdimension. CONCLUSION: As a result of the research, it was seen that the level of fatigue of the participants had moderate and level of perceived social support was positive. The age, marital status, and education status of the participants do not affect the fatigue and social support levels.

Pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19: The effects of tele-education offered to pregnant women on prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety.

AIM: This study aims to examine pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19 and the effects of a tele-education offered to pregnant women for this planning process on prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety. METHOD: The population of this quasi-experimental study was composed of pregnant women who applied for the antenatal education class of a public hospital in the east of Turkey during their past prenatal follow-ups and wrote their contact details in the registration book to participate in group trainings. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 96 pregnant women, including 48 in the experiment and 48 in the control groups, who were selected using power analysis and non-probability random sampling method. The data were collected between April 22 and May 13, 2020 using a "Personal Information Form", the "Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ)" and the "Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2)". An individual tele-education (interactive education and consultancy provided by phone calls, text message and digital education booklet) was provided to the pregnant women in the experiment group for one week. No intervention was administered to those in the control group. The data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, min-max values) and t-test in dependent and independent groups. RESULTS: The posttest NuPDQ total mean scores of pregnant women in the experiment and control groups were 8.75±5.10 and 11.50±4.91, respectively, whereby the difference between the groups was statistically significant (t=-2.689, p=0.008). Additionally, the difference between their mean scores on both PRAQ-R2 and its subscales of "fear of giving birth" and "worries of bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child" was statistically significant (p<0.05), where those in the experiment group had lower anxiety, fear of giving birth and worries of bearing a physically or mentally handicapped child. CONCLUSION: The tele-education offered to the pregnant women for pregnancy and birth planning during COVID-19 decreased their prenatal distress and pregnancy-related anxiety.

The Use of Oxytocin by Healthcare Professionals During Labor.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is widely used in perinatal medicine, but it can cause serious side effects. Health professionals should be familiar with the pharmacokinetics, dosing regimen, and fetal effects of oxytocin. This study aims to explore the use of oxytocin by healthcare professionals during labor. METHODS: This study was conducted in one medical faculty, one training and research hospital, one maternity hospital, and one private hospital in Adana, Turkey. The sample group included 107 participants. The data were gathered using a survey prepared in line with the literature. The survey was comprised of 30 questions. These questions concern the social demographic information of the participants, the knowledge and actual oxytocin use, and the views of the participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 36.76 ± 8.70 years, the mean of working experience in the delivery room was 7.79 ± 7.73 years. 85.6% of the participants who answered the question of possible effects of oxytocin as contraction, 57.9% of the possible side effects as fetal distress. 69.2% of the participants stated that they applied oxytocin after dilution in a fluid while 47% stated that they applied it after dilution in fluid with 5% Dextrose. While 40% of the participants responded that they sometimes forgot to administer medication, 39.2% stated that they did not register medication in their survey responses. CONCLUSION: It was determined that most of the participants answered the questions about the effect of oxytocin correctly, but they could not respond to all the side effects of oxytocin. It was found that most of the participants could not answer the storage conditions that are important for the effectiveness of the drug correctly. In addition, the importance level given to the principles of drug administration by the participants was generally found to be high.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the PEER-U scale.

Background: Antenatal care is necessary for mother and infant by reducing or eliminating the risks which may occur in the antenatal and postnatal period. Ultrasound is one of the most commonly used examination methods in antenatal monitoring. Evaluating the expectations, experiences and reactions of both parents during routine ultrasound examinations is essential to provide the best antenatal care. Objective: This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the PEER-U scale developed for Sweden by Ekelin et al. Method: The PEER-U scale consists of before and after ultrasound scales. Four hundred and thirty-six parents participated in the study. Interviews were conducted with all participating parents in a private room 15 minutes before and five minutes after the ultrasound. Researchers analysed the PEER-U scale for language, content, construct, criterion-referenced validity and internal consistency reliability. Results: The Turkish version of PEER-U has 21 items in the before ultrasound scale and 21 items in the after ultrasound scale. Cronbach's alpha was 0.65 for the before ultrasound scale and 0.89 for the after ultrasound scale. Conclusion: The study determined that the Turkish version of the PEER-U scale is a valid and reliable scale for Turkish society.