Stress management during pregnancy: designing and evaluating a mind-body intervention


Author: Jallo N, Bourguignon C, Taylor AG, Utz SW

Affiliation: Clinical Care Services, Sentara Healthcare/ Optima Health, Virginia Beach, VA, USA. jallo@cox.net
Conference/Journal: Fam Community Health.
Date published: 2008 Jul-Sep
Other:
 Volume ID: 31   ,  Issue ID: 3   ,  Pages: 190-203   ,  Word Count: 98  
    The objective of this 12-week study was to determine whether a relaxation-guided imagery (R-GI) intervention designed as a primary prevention strategy for stress management was perceived as beneficial to African American women during the second trimester of pregnancy. All participants documented perceived benefits of the R-GI intervention that included the following: (1) improved breathing; (2) ability to relax, clear one's mind, and become calm; (3) ability to channel and decrease stress; (4) release of anxiety; (5) use of R-GI throughout the day helped control anger and state of mind, leading to a smoother day; and (6) improved ability to fall and stay asleep.

PMID: 18552600