RESUMEN
The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of kinesiophobia on musculoskeletal pain, physical activity levels, and gestational weight gain in pregnant women. One hundred and sixty-three pregnant women participated in the study by completing a personal characteristics information form along with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. The results showed a weak negative correlation between total physical activity scores and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia scores (p = .005). Excessive gestational weight gain was associated with a 1.27-fold increase in kinesiophobia and a 1.16-fold increase in musculoskeletal pain compared to adequate weight gain (p < .001). Those with musculoskeletal pain had significantly higher kinesiophobia scores than those without musculoskeletal pain (p = .012). In the pregnant women in this study, an increase in kinesiophobia was associated with a decrease in physical activity. Sedentary and light-intensity activities prevailed among the pregnant women in the study. Musculoskeletal pain and kinesiophobia were associated with excessive weight gain, and those with pain had higher levels of kinesiophobia. Therefore, during pregnancy follow-ups, health professionals should evaluate pregnant women for kinesiophobia, pain, physical activity status, and weight gain.
Asunto(s)
Ganancia de Peso Gestacional , Dolor Musculoesquelético , Humanos , Femenino , Embarazo , Mujeres Embarazadas , Kinesiofobia , Miedo , Estudios Transversales , Ejercicio Físico , Aumento de PesoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to analyze the effect of foot reflexology on the anxiety levels of women during labor. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: The study was conducted as a semiexperimental study. It was conducted with 154 nulliparous pregnant women who applied to a maternity unit of a state hospital in the north-western part of Turkey to give birth. INTERVENTIONS: Foot reflexology was applied once to the pregnant women in the experimental group when cervical dilation was 3-4 cm. The treatment was applied to the right foot and left foot reflex points for 15 min, for a total of 30 min. The data in the study were collected using the "Pregnant Women Introductory Information Form" and the "Spielberger State-trait Anxiety Inventory" (STAI TX-1). In evaluating the data, number, percentage, Chi-square, independent samples t-test, and repeated measure analysis of variance test were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean scores of the STAI TX-1 were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: The mean STAI TX-1 scores were measured before reflexology, in the latent and active phases of labor and early in postpartum period (four times in total). The mean STAI TX-1 scores were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The mean STAI TX-1 scores postreflexology application (when cervical dilation was 3-4 cm) and during the active phase of the labor (when cervical dilation was 6-8 cm) of the pregnant women in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (respectively p = 0.010, p < 0.001). In the experimental group, there was no statistically significant difference between the mean STAI TX-1 scores pre- and postreflexology (p = 0.820). The mean STAI TX-1 scores in the early postpartum period were similar in the experimental and control groups (p = 0.080). CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology was found to have a positive effect in lowering the total anxiety scores of the pregnant women. Reflexology is a noninvasive and economical method, which may be used by health professionals to reduce problems during labor. A decrease in anxiety experienced at birth improves women's positive birth experiences, promotes a secure mother-infant attachment, and protects postpartum mental health.