Comparing the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation training and mindfulness-based stress reduction on tokophobia in primiparous women

Authors
Mohamad Reza Khodabakhsh 1
Toktam Rajaei 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ne. C., Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
2 MSc in General Psychology ,Department of Psychology, Ne.C.,Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
Abstract
Introduction

Fear of natural childbirth is a common problem in pregnant women and in many cases leads to requesting or performing a cesarean section. It is estimated that ۵-۲۵% of pregnant women suffer from fear of childbirth, and for this reason, the number of cesarean sections is also increasing. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation therapy and Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on tokophobia in primiparous women. Method: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group with a one-month follow-up period. The statistical population included all pregnant mothers in Neyshabur city who had referred to health-treatment centers in the last trimester of ۱۴۰۳. The sample consisted of ۴۵ people who were selected conveniently and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group (۱۵ people in each group). The intervention groups received Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation therapy for ۴ sessions and Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy for ۸ ۹۰-minute sessions twice a week. Data were collected using the Wijma and Rose (۱۹۸۸) Tokophobia Scale and analyzed using the mixed repeated measures analysis of variance method. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups after the intervention; both treatments reduced tokophobia scores in primiparous women (p<۰.۰۵). Also, based on the results obtained, mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy is more effective than progressive muscle relaxation therapy in improving tokophobia in primiparous women (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The results showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy was probably a more effective intervention compared to progressive muscle relaxation therapy for improving tokophobia in primiparous women.


Keywords
Progressive muscle relaxation training
mindfulness-based stress reduction
tokophobia
Primiparous women