The Effects of Angel Sounds and Guided Imagery Technique Played to Expectant Couples

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

354 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-04-22

Study Completion Date

2023-07-14

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The study sample consisted of 177 pregnant women and their partners who met the inclusion criteria and participated in a prenatal education class. Expectant couples were randomized into three groups: Group 1 (FHS) listened to fetal heartbeat sounds, Group 2 (GIT) received the guided imagery intervention, and Group 3 served as the control group. Each group consisted of 59 couples.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

The Effect of Fetal Heart Sound Played by Parents Diagnosed With Risky Pregnancy on Attachment and Anxiety

NCT06734754

Attachment Risk Pregnancy Anxiety

COMPLETED NA

The Effect of Electro-fetal monıtorısıon Sound on Anxiety, paın and Postpartum Bonding at the First Phase of Delivery

NCT06271889

Delivery Fear Labor Pain Maternal-Fetal Relations

COMPLETED NA

Effect of Partner-Conducted Fetal Heart Sound Measurement on Maternal and Paternal Attachment

NCT06965647

Prenatal Attachment, Maternal Expectations, Paternal Involvement

COMPLETED NA

Emotional Freedom Technique in Early Pregnancy

NCT05337852

Nausea Gravidarum Anxiety Emotion Regulation +1 more

COMPLETED NA

Guided Imagery on Pregnancy Stress and Sleep Quality in Risky Pregnancy

NCT06610513

Effect of Guided Imagery Application on Pregnancy Stress and Sleep Quality in Risky Pregnant Women Will Be Checked

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Aim: This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of listening to angel sounds (fetal heartbeat) and applying the guided imagery technique on prenatal attachment, anxiety, and sleep quality among expectant couples.

Methods: The study included 177 pregnant women and their partners who attended a prenatal education class and met the inclusion criteria. Expectant couples were randomly assigned into three equal groups. In Group 1 (FHS), only fetal heartbeat sounds were listened to. In Group 2 (GIT), the guided imagery technique was applied. Group 3 served as the control group. Each group consisted of 59 couples.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Prenatal Anxiety Prenatal Attachment Sleep Quality

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized controlled trial with three parallel arms: fetal heart sounds group (FHS), guided imagery technique group (GIT), and control group.

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

No masking was applied. Both participants and researchers were aware of the assigned interventions.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Group-FHS

Couples provided written and verbal consent after being informed about the study. Pre-test data were collected using the Personal Information Forms (PIF-Female, PIF-Male), Antenatal Mother Attachment Scale (PAAS), Antenatal Father Attachment Scale (PAAS), the Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI).

Couples listened to fetal heart sounds (angel sounds) each night before sleep for three consecutive nights, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. The researcher provided remote support via WhatsApp throughout the intervention period. Post-test data were collected on the fourth day using the same measurement tools.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Fetal Heart Sounds (FHS) Listening Intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

Pregnant women and their partners listened to fetal heart sounds (also referred to as angel sounds) for 20 minutes before bedtime on three consecutive nights using a fetal heart rate monitoring device. The intervention aimed to enhance prenatal attachment and reduce anxiety by increasing awareness of the fetus through auditory stimulation.

Group-GIT

Couples provided written and verbal consent after being informed about the study. Pre-test data were collected using the same tools as the FHS group. Couples were sent audio recordings prepared using guided imagery scripts, and instructed to listen each night before sleep for three consecutive nights. The audio included calming suggestions to promote attachment and reduce anxiety.

On the fourth day, post-test data were collected using the same tools.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Guided Imagery Technique (GIT) Intervention

Intervention Type OTHER

Pregnant women and their partners listened to guided imagery audio recordings for 20 minutes before bedtime on three consecutive nights. The recordings were developed to support bonding with the baby, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. The intervention was delivered via audio files prepared by the research team based on structured imagery scripts.

Control Group

Couples in the control group received no intervention. Pre-test data were collected using the same measurement tools as the experimental groups. After three days without intervention, post-test data were collected on the fourth day.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Fetal Heart Sounds (FHS) Listening Intervention

Pregnant women and their partners listened to fetal heart sounds (also referred to as angel sounds) for 20 minutes before bedtime on three consecutive nights using a fetal heart rate monitoring device. The intervention aimed to enhance prenatal attachment and reduce anxiety by increasing awareness of the fetus through auditory stimulation.

Intervention Type OTHER

Guided Imagery Technique (GIT) Intervention

Pregnant women and their partners listened to guided imagery audio recordings for 20 minutes before bedtime on three consecutive nights. The recordings were developed to support bonding with the baby, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality. The intervention was delivered via audio files prepared by the research team based on structured imagery scripts.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Having basic literacy skills,
* Owning a smartphone and having internet access,
* Having a singleton and viable pregnancy,
* Being between the 27th and 38th weeks of gestation,
* Not having any diagnosed pregnancy-related risks (e.g., preeclampsia, diabetes, placenta previa, oligohydramnios),
* Not having any diagnosed fetal health issues (e.g., fetal anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction),
* Pregnant individuals and their spouses with no current or prior psychiatric diagnoses.

Exclusion Criteria

* Not living with their spouse,
* Spouse working in shifts,
* Pregnancy via assisted reproductive techniques,
* Currently participating in childbirth education programs,
* Presence of communication difficulties or cognitive impairments in either the pregnant individual or the spouse.

Withdrawal Criteria:

* Participated in the intervention for fewer than 3 nights,
* Unable to use the Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Device (FHRMD),
* Experiencing premature birth or pregnancy loss,
* Incomplete questionnaire data,
* Voluntary withdrawal from the study by the participant or their spouse. -

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes