Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
08:22
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
Published on: February 25, 2016
Chocolate or orange juice for non-reactive non-stress test (NST) patterns: a randomized prospective controlled study
Sertac Esin1, Eralp Baser, Caner Cakir
1Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Dr Sami Ulus Maternity and Children Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. sertacesin@gmail.com
Summary
Bitter chocolate and orange juice did not improve non-stress test (NST) patterns or fetal movement perception in pregnant women with non-reactive results. No intervention, bitter chocolate, or orange juice showed similar effects on fetal well-being assessments.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Monitoring
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Non-reactive non-stress tests (NSTs) in pregnancy require further investigation for interventions.
- Assessing fetal well-being is crucial for optimal pregnancy outcomes.
- Maternal perception of fetal movements is an important indicator of fetal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of bitter chocolate and orange juice in improving non-reactive non-stress test (NST) patterns.
- To compare the effects of bitter chocolate and orange juice on maternal perception of fetal movements.
- To determine if these interventions offer benefits over standard care for non-reactive NSTs.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted with 180 pregnant women.
- Participants with non-reactive NST results were assigned to bitter chocolate, orange juice, or control groups.
- Outcomes measured included NST reactivity and maternal perception of fetal movements.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in reactive non-stress test (NST) patterns were observed between the bitter chocolate, orange juice, and control groups (p=0.159).
- Maternal perception of increased fetal movements was similar across all three groups (p=0.755).
- Post-test capillary blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the control group compared to the orange juice and bitter chocolate groups (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- Bitter chocolate and orange juice consumption did not significantly improve non-stress test (NST) outcomes in pregnancies with initially non-reactive tests.
- While orange juice increased blood glucose levels, this did not translate to enhanced fetal well-being as assessed by NST or fetal movement perception.
- These findings suggest that bitter chocolate, orange juice, and no intervention have comparable effects on non-reactive NST patterns and maternal perception of fetal movements.
