Sweet Expectation and Positive Thinking: The Use of Mandalas in Labor Induction. A Randomized Pilot Clinical Study

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics
• Psychology
• Mindfulness-based interventions

Background:

• Labor induction is a common obstetric intervention, often causing distress and a sense of lost control.
• Mandala coloring is a meditative practice that may aid emotional expression, mental calming, and self-awareness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Mandala coloring in enhancing the labor experience for nulliparous women undergoing induction.
• To assess the impact of Mandala coloring on birth outcomes and the need for labor analgesia.

Main Methods:

• A monocentric, parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted.
• The intervention group (n=26) received standard induction care plus Mandala coloring materials.
• The control group (n=26) received standard care only. The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) measured the primary outcome.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference was found in CEQ scores between the Mandala coloring group (69.31) and the control group (68.84) (P=0.81).
• Analgesia requests were similar: 57.7% in the intervention group versus 50.0% in the control group (P=0.33).
• Birth outcomes, including spontaneous deliveries and Cesarean sections, showed no significant differences between groups (P=0.22).

Conclusions:

• Mandala coloring did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in the labor experience, birth outcomes, or analgesia requests compared to standard care.
• A potential positive trend favoring Mandala coloring warrants further investigation with a larger sample size and increased statistical power.