Effect of progressive muscle relaxation on breastfeeding self-efficacy and depression in mothers of preterm infants-a randomized controlled study
MENTAL HEALTH & PREVENTION, cilt.40, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 40
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.mhp.2025.200458
- Dergi Adı: MENTAL HEALTH & PREVENTION
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Psycinfo
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Mothers of preterm infants often experience increased depressive symptoms during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This situation can negatively affect breastfeeding self-efficacy, necessitating effective supportive interventions. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigated the impact of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) exercises on breastfeeding self-efficacy and postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants. Methods: The study was conducted in the NICU of a hospital in Istanbul between November 2018 and June 2019. The study included 70 mothers. Data were collected using a sociodemographic form, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and mother follow-up forms. In the experimental group, mothers performed progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises twice a day for two weeks, while the control group received routine care; data were analysed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent samples t-test, chi-square test and repeated measures ANOVA, and the significance level wasp < 0.05. Results: At the two-week follow-up, mothers in the experimental group had significantly higher BSES scores and lower EPDS scores. In the 2nd-week assessment compared to baseline, the EPDS score for the experimental group mothers decreased by-3.46 +/- 3.45, while the control group mothers, it decreased by-1.03 +/- 2.15. This difference was statistically significant (t =-3.535, p = 0.001). Conclusion: PMR exercises effectively enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy and reduce postpartum depression in mothers of preterm infants. PMR is a safe, low-cost intervention that can be integrated into NICU nursing care to reduce depressive symptoms in mothers of preterm infants, increase breastfeeding success.