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

Inonu University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Prenatal Attachment; Sleep Quality; Prenatal Anxiety

Treatments: Other: Guided Imagery Technique (GIT) Intervention; Other: Fetal Heart Sounds (FHS) Listening Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05441033

2021/2570

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment: 354 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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. -

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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354 participants in 3 patient groups

Group-FHS

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Fetal Heart Sounds (FHS) Listening Intervention

Group-GIT

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Guided Imagery Technique (GIT) Intervention

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

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.