J Korean Acad Nurs.  2010 Jun;40(3):442-452. 10.4040/jkan.2010.40.3.442.

Effects of Abdominal Breathing on State Anxiety, Stress, and Tocolytic Dosage for Pregnant Women in Preterm Labor

• Yu WJ
• Song JE

• KMID: 987591
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.3.442

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of abdominal breathing on state anxiety, stress and tocolytic dosage for pregnant women in preterm labor.
METHODS
The participants were 60 pregnant women in preterm labor who were hospitalized from April to July, 2009. Thirty participants were assigned to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. None of them had any other complications except preterm labor. The modified Mason's breathing technique was used with the experimental group 3 times a day for 3 days. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and chart review, and analyzed with the SPSS 13.0 WIN program.
RESULTS
"State anxiety of the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "Stress of the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "The Ritodrine dosage for the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported. "The Atosiban dosage for the experimental group will be lower than that of the control group" was supported.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that abdominal breathing is an effective nursing intervention for pregnant women in preterm labor.

Keyword

Breathing; Preterm labor; Anxiety; Stress; Tocolytics

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anxiety/*prevention & control
*Breathing Exercises
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Obstetric Labor, Premature/*drug therapy
Pregnancy
Premature Birth
Ritodrine/therapeutic use
Stress, Psychological/*prevention & control
Tocolytic Agents/*therapeutic use
Vasotocin/analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use

Figure

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  Figure 1 Research design.

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  Figure 2 Research framework.

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  Figure 3 Changes in state anxiety score. Exp=experimental group; Con=control group.

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  Figure 4 Changes in preterm labor stress score. Exp=experimental group; Con=control group.

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