Effectiveness of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique among the Antenatal Mothers above 32 Weeks of Gestation on the Reactivity and Time Consumption of Non Stress Test: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Non Stress Test is a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive method to assess the wellbeing of the fetus by observing the FHR with its acceleration in response to the movement of the fetus. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation technique among the antenatal mothers above 32 weeks of gestation on reactivity and time consumption of Non Stress Test Design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: Obstetrics and Gynaecology OPD, PGIMER, Chandigarh Participant: 120 Antenatal mothers 32 weeks of gestation Methods: 120 pregnant mothers i.e sixty each in Experimental and Control group willing to participate and available at the time of data collection were enrolled through a random sampling technique. Progressive muscle relaxation technique was demonstrated and was performed simultaneously by the antenatal mothers 15 to 20 minutes prior to NST who were enrolled under the Experimental group. Routine care was given to Control group. Data were collected by using an interview schedule in the month of October to December 2020. Non stress test was done as per schedule of antenatal visit and interpretation of NST graph in relation to the reactivity, time consumption and baseline fetal heart rate were compared in both the group. Results: It revealed that all the antenatal mothers in the Exp. group and 90% of mothers in the Control group showed reactivity of Non stress test. In relation to time consumption of Non stress test, all mothers in the Experimental group took normal time i.e 20 minutes. Out of the 90% of antenatal mothers who were reactive in the Control group, 5% took more than 20 minutes. A statistical significant difference was found in relation to reactivity by applying Chi Square (p<0.05). The finding also showed a significant difference in between the Experimental and Control group in relation to the reactivity of Non stress test as shown by Mann Whitney U test, baseline fetal heart rate during NST, all the antenatal mothers had normal BHR between 110 to 160 bpm in both groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Progressive muscle relaxation technique performed prior to Non stress test can be used for improving the Non stress test results, time-saving, evokes positive feeling and satisfaction among the antenatal mothers.