Fetal vibroacoustic stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on fetal vibroacoustic stimulation as a method of changing the fetal sleep state during nonstress testing.


METHODS
The MEDLINE data base and reference lists were used to select articles pertaining to human and animal fetal vibroacoustic stimulation.


METHODS
We reviewed the English-language literature with respect to sound intensity, stimulus duration, and repetition rate as possible means of altering fetal sleep-wake cycles.


METHODS
Several criteria have been used to measure fetal response: gestational age, fetal heart rate, fetal movements, fetal breathing movements, fetal habituation, and fetal behavioral states. The use of vibroacoustic stimulation for antepartum and intrapartum fetal assessment and safety issues are also reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although further research is needed, the ability of vibroacoustic stimulation to elicit FHR accelerations has been established, thus decreasing the false-positive rate associated with nonreactive nonstress testing.
Zimmer
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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York.
Divon
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D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000502:physiology; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014732:Vibration