Investigating the Effect of Art Therapy on Women With Fear of Childbirth During Pregnancy: A Mixed Method Study

NCT ID: NCT06257186

Last Updated: 2024-03-05

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

100 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-11-02

Study Completion Date

2024-09-30

Brief Summary

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

Childbirth is a multifaceted experience and could involve both positive and negative feelings. Feelings of limited capability in the face of childbirth may result in a condition termed as Fear of Childbirth (FOC), which contributes to significantly higher risks of birth complications resulting in psychological trauma. This study aims to examine the effects of Art Therapy (AT) on FOC, perceived maternal parental self-efficacy, postpartum maternal infant bonding and postpartum depression.

A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will be used. Phase one will adopt a quasi-experimental study design. Women who are aged 21 and above, English literate and having a singleton pregnancy will be approached to fill in the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS). Participants with FOBS score of 60 and above will be considered as having FOC and will be invited to participate in the AT intervention. Participants who are agreeable to receive AT will be recruited in the experimental group. Participants who declined to participate in AT will receive routine antenatal care (control group). Outcomes that will be measured in both groups include perceived maternal self-efficacy, maternal infant bonding, and maternal depression after childbirth. A qualitative descriptive design will be used in phase two. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with the participants to explore their experiences of the AT. Descriptive analysis, independent sample t-test, paired sample t-test, and regression analysis will be used for analysis of the quantitative data in phase one. Qualitative data from phase two will be analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings of this study may provide evidence on the use of AT to cope with FOC during pregnancy. If proven to be beneficial, AT may potentially be introduced and advocated as an intervention for women with FOC.

Detailed Description

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

Research Design:

A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will be used. Phase one will be quasi-experimental study design, comparing women with FOC who received art therapy (experimental group) and women who received routine antenatal care (control group). A qualitative descriptive design will be used in phase two to explore the experiences of the participants who had art therapy for FOC.

Sampling:

Convenience sampling will be used for phase one. Purposive sampling will be used for phase two, for which only participants who had undergone the art therapy intervention will be invited to participate.

Consented participants will be invited to fill in the Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS). Participants with FOBS score of 60 and above will be enrolled into the study. Participants will be invited to participate in the Art Therapy intervention (experimental group). If participants are not agreeable to participate in the art therapy, they will be allocated to the control group.

Participants who had undergone the Art Therapy intervention will be invited to participate in phase two.

Sample Size:

Phase One: The study team is targeting to recruit 1200 participants to screen for FOC in phase one. Participants with FOC will be invited to continue participation in the quasi-experimental study with a target allocation of 1:1 in each group.

Phase Two: The sample size will be determined by data saturation, whereby no new information is identified from the data. This is estimated to be about sample size of 30 participants.

Data Collection Procedures:

Phase One:

Potential participants who are in the second trimester of their pregnancy (between 13 and 27 weeks of gestation) will be approached in the antenatal clinics. Details of the study will be explained using the Participant Information Sheet (PIS). After which, the FOBS will be used to measure the FOC. Recruited participants will be asked to fill in a hardcopy questionnaire.

After the participant has completed the questionnaire, the FOBS score will be tabulated and participants with FOBS score of more than or equal to 60 will be invited to participate in the intervention, which is a series of three to five art therapy sessions, depending on the participants' needs/preferences.

Women who are willing to participate in the art therapy sessions will be included in the experimental group, while women who received routine antenatal care but are not agreeable to participate in the art therapy sessions will be included in the control group. A study team member will contact the participants to arrange for the art therapy sessions and administration of the questionnaires.

A set of art materials will be provided to participants to use throughout the art therapy sessions, and to encourage participants to continue artmaking for self-care outside of sessions. The first session will be in a face-to-face format at a date and time agreed by the participant. Subsequent sessions will be offered via telehealth on dates and times agreed by the participant. Each session will last between 60 to 90 minutes and will be facilitated by an Art Therapist. Each session will be structured around themes aimed at building self-awareness, encouraging expressions of difficult emotions, strengthening the bond between participants and their child, and to facilitate the verbal counselling within the safety of art therapy session. FOBS score will be obtained from all the participants again in both experimental group and control group between 37 and 40 weeks of gestation in the form of hard copy questionnaire. Study procedures will be stopped for participants who delivered before the completion of the second administration of FOBS.

Participants in both experimental and control group will be contacted again at 1 month after childbirth. PMPS-E, PBQ, and EPDS will be administered. Participants will be provided with a link to access the online questionnaire.

Phase Two:

The first 30 participants who had undergone the art therapy sessions will be invited to participate in the individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews will be conducted face-to-face in a quiet and conducive room, or through phone call at 1 month after birth.

Interviews will be audio-recorded with permission from the participant and transcribed verbatim. The interview will be conducted by a trained midwife who is not involved in the art therapy sessions or the childbirth process of the participant.

Data Analysis:

Phase One: The following statistical analyses will be used. A value of p\<0.05 will be assumed for the level of significance.

* Descriptive analysis will be used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics and all outcome variables (FOBS, PMPS-E, PBQ, and EPDS scores).
* Chi-squared test will be used to compare proportions of mode of birth and usage of epidural during labour between the experimental and control group.
* Paired sample t-test to compare the FOBS scores in the experimental group before and after intervention.
* Paired sample t-test to compare the FOBS scores in the control group in the second trimester and 37-40 weeks of pregnancy.
* Chi-squared test will be used to compare the number of pregnant women whose FOBS score decreased from ≥ 60 to a score less than 60 in both groups.
* Independent sample t-test will be used to compare all outcome variables (post FOBS, PMPS-E, PBQ, and EPDS scores) between the experimental and control groups.
* Pearson correlation analysis will be done to determine the associations between FOBS score and PMPS-E, PBQ, and EPDS scores of all participants.
* Pearson correlation analysis will be done to determine the associations between FOBS score and the socio-demographic variables.
* Univariate analysis will be done to compare the socio-demographic variables between the experimental and control groups.
* Regression analysis will be used to determine the predictors for FOC using the cut-off point for FOC (FOBS ≥ 60)

Phase Two:

Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis, whereby data will be examined to identify common themes.

Conditions

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

Fear of Childbirth Pregnancy Related Anxiety and Fear Anxiety Fear

Study Design

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

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will be used. Phase one will be quasi-experimental study design, comparing women with FOC who received art therapy (experimental group) and women who received routine antenatal care (control group). A qualitative descriptive design will be used in phase two to explore the experiences of the participants who had art therapy for FOC.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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

Art Therapy

Women in the experimental group will be offered a series of three to five art therapy sessions, depending on the participants' needs/preferences. The art therapy sessions will be given anytime after consent has been obtained till approximately 36 weeks of gestation. The art therapy sessions are in addition to routine antenatal care.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Art Therapy

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants assigned to the Intervention (Art Therapy) arm will be offered a series of three to five art therapy sessions, depending on the participants' needs/preferences. The art therapy sessions will be given anytime after consent has been obtained till approximately 36 weeks of gestation. The Art Therapy is given in addition to routine antenatal care.

Routine Antenatal Care

Women in the control group will receive routine antenatal care.

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.

Art Therapy

Participants assigned to the Intervention (Art Therapy) arm will be offered a series of three to five art therapy sessions, depending on the participants' needs/preferences. The art therapy sessions will be given anytime after consent has been obtained till approximately 36 weeks of gestation. The Art Therapy is given in addition to routine antenatal care.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged between 21 and 50 years old
2. English literate
3. Having an intrauterine singleton live pregnancy
4. Currently in the second trimester of the pregnancy (between 13 to 27 weeks of pregnancy)
5. Fear of Birth Scale (FOBS) score of 60 and above

Exclusion Criteria

1. With contraindication for vaginal birth (for example placenta covering cervix)
2. With obstetric complications during pregnancy such as fetal anomaly that is incompatible with life
3. With current depression requiring medical intervention
4. Who had stillborn delivery
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Ang Mei Qi

Nurse Clinician

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Mei Qi Ang, MSc(Nursing)

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

KK Women's and Children's Hospital

Singapore, , Singapore

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Singapore

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Mei Qi Ang, MSc(Nursing)

Role: CONTACT

6530 3125

Sujitha L Kumar, BE(BioEng)

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Mei Qi Ang, MSc(Nursing)

Role: primary

6530 3125

Sujitha L Kumar, BE(BioEng)

Role: backup

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Adams SS, Eberhard-Gran M, Eskild A. Fear of childbirth and duration of labour: a study of 2206 women with intended vaginal delivery. BJOG. 2012 Sep;119(10):1238-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03433.x. Epub 2012 Jun 27.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22734617 (View on PubMed)

Alehagen S, Wijma B, Wijma K. Fear of childbirth before, during, and after childbirth. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2006;85(1):56-62. doi: 10.1080/00016340500334844.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16521681 (View on PubMed)

Alipour Z, Lamyian M, Hajizadeh E. Anxiety and fear of childbirth as predictors of postnatal depression in nulliparous women. Women Birth. 2012 Sep;25(3):e37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2011.09.002. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21959041 (View on PubMed)

Barnes CR, Adamson-Macedo EN. Perceived Maternal Parenting Self-Efficacy (PMP S-E) tool: development and validation with mothers of hospitalized preterm neonates. J Adv Nurs. 2007 Dec;60(5):550-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04445.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17973719 (View on PubMed)

Brockington IF, Fraser C, Wilson D. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire: a validation. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2006 Sep;9(5):233-42. doi: 10.1007/s00737-006-0132-1. Epub 2006 May 4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16673041 (View on PubMed)

Challacombe FL, Nath S, Trevillion K, Pawlby S, Howard LM. Fear of childbirth during pregnancy: associations with observed mother-infant interactions and perceived bonding. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2021 Jun;24(3):483-492. doi: 10.1007/s00737-020-01098-w. Epub 2020 Dec 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33336315 (View on PubMed)

Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of postnatal depression. Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Br J Psychiatry. 1987 Jun;150:782-6. doi: 10.1192/bjp.150.6.782.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 3651732 (View on PubMed)

Haines HM, Pallant JF, Fenwick J, Gamble J, Creedy DK, Toohill J, Hildingsson I. Identifying women who are afraid of giving birth: A comparison of the fear of birth scale with the WDEQ-A in a large Australian cohort. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2015 Dec;6(4):204-10. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2015.05.002. Epub 2015 May 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26614602 (View on PubMed)

Hildingsson I, Rubertsson C. Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after birth in women living in Sweden who received treatments for fear of birth. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2022 Apr;25(2):473-484. doi: 10.1007/s00737-022-01213-z. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35190877 (View on PubMed)

Hildingsson I, Rubertsson C. Postpartum bonding and association with depressive symptoms and prenatal attachment in women with fear of birth. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Jan 25;22(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04367-3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35078403 (View on PubMed)

Kinsella MT, Monk C. Impact of maternal stress, depression and anxiety on fetal neurobehavioral development. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep;52(3):425-40. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181b52df1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19661759 (View on PubMed)

Nieminen K, Stephansson O, Ryding EL. Women's fear of childbirth and preference for cesarean section--a cross-sectional study at various stages of pregnancy in Sweden. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2009;88(7):807-13. doi: 10.1080/00016340902998436.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19488882 (View on PubMed)

Nilsson C, Hessman E, Sjoblom H, Dencker A, Jangsten E, Mollberg M, Patel H, Sparud-Lundin C, Wigert H, Begley C. Definitions, measurements and prevalence of fear of childbirth: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018 Jan 12;18(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s12884-018-1659-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29329526 (View on PubMed)

O'Connell MA, Leahy-Warren P, Khashan AS, Kenny LC, O'Neill SM. Worldwide prevalence of tocophobia in pregnant women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2017 Aug;96(8):907-920. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13138. Epub 2017 May 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28369672 (View on PubMed)

O'Connor TG, Heron J, Golding J, Beveridge M, Glover V. Maternal antenatal anxiety and children's behavioural/emotional problems at 4 years. Report from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Br J Psychiatry. 2002 Jun;180:502-8. doi: 10.1192/bjp.180.6.502.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12042228 (View on PubMed)

Raisanen S, Lehto SM, Nielsen HS, Gissler M, Kramer MR, Heinonen S. Fear of childbirth predicts postpartum depression: a population-based analysis of 511 422 singleton births in Finland. BMJ Open. 2013 Nov 28;3(11):e004047. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004047.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24293208 (View on PubMed)

Rondung E, Thomten J, Sundin O. Psychological perspectives on fear of childbirth. J Anxiety Disord. 2016 Dec;44:80-91. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.10.007. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27788373 (View on PubMed)

Slade P, Balling K, Sheen K, Houghton G. Establishing a valid construct of fear of childbirth: findings from in-depth interviews with women and midwives. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Mar 18;19(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2241-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30885153 (View on PubMed)

Talge NM, Neal C, Glover V; Early Stress, Translational Research and Prevention Science Network: Fetal and Neonatal Experience on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Antenatal maternal stress and long-term effects on child neurodevelopment: how and why? J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2007 Mar-Apr;48(3-4):245-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01714.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17355398 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

2023/2493

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.