Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2017
Journal/Book/Conference Title
JOGNN-JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC GYNECOLOGIC AND NEONATAL NURSING
Volume
46
Issue
4
First Page
532
Last Page
543
DOI
10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.004
Date of Submission
August 2017
Abstract
Objective: To test the feasibility of a relaxation guided imagery (RGI) intervention for mothers of hospitalized preterm infants and to explore the biobehavioral effects of RGI on their distress, responsiveness, and physiological stress.
Design: Single sample, pretest-posttest design.
Setting: A large Level III NICU in Southern California.
Participants: Twenty mothers of hospitalized preterm infants (24-32 weeks gestational age).
Methods: Correlational analyses of RGI use with self-reported measures of distress (perceived stress, state anxiety, and depression symptoms), awakening salivary cortisol level, and salivary cortisol awakening response collected from mothers at baseline and after 8 weeks of an RGI intervention.
Results: Nineteen mothers completed the study. Average use of RGI varied from 1.7 to 7.4 times per week (mean = 4.46, standard deviation = 2.7). Greater average use of RGI was correlated with lower awakening cortisol levels (r = -.38), greater cortisol awakening response (r =.36), and lower levels of distress (perceived stress [r = -.38], anxiety [r = -.43], and depression [r = -.41]).
Conclusion: Relaxation guided imagery may be a feasible and acceptable intervention to reduce mental and physiologic stress and improve responsiveness in mothers of hospitalized preterm infants.
Rights
(C) 2017 AWHONN, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Is Part Of
VCU School of Nursing Publications
Comments
Originally published at http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2017.03.004