Effect of video-assisted training on prenatal attachment and anxiety in primiparous women undergoing non-stress test:...

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of video-assisted midwifery care provided to primiparous pregnant women during non-stress test (NST) administration on their anxiety levels and prenatal attachment.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted between April and October 2024, with 74 primiparous women undergoing a non-stress test (NST). Participants were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 37) or control (n = 37) groups using block randomization. The intervention group received video-assisted training plus routine care, while the control group received standard care. Blinding was not feasible. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance and analysis of covariance.

Mean scores for both state and trait anxiety were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant. However, a significant difference was observed in the change in total mean scores on the Prenatal Attachment Inventory between the intervention and control groups. Compared to pre-test scores, a significant and sustained increase in prenatal attachment scores was observed among pregnant women in the intervention group who received video-assisted midwifery care before the NST application. In contrast, the control group showed a significant but decreasing change in their prenatal attachment scores compared to the pretest.

Short-term training, midwifery care, and fetal heart sound monitoring provided before NST did not significantly affect state or trait anxiety levels but were found to influence prenatal attachment positively. Further comprehensive studies are recommended in this regard.