title: Effects of a guided imagery intervention on stress in hospitalized pregnant women: a pilot study.
abstract: Using repeated-measures pre-/posttest design, the effects of guided imagery on maternal stress in 19 hospitalized pregnant women were examined. Mean stress and systolic blood pressure measurements postintervention were significantly lower than mean levels before listening to the guided imagery CD. All participants identified benefits of this holistic intervention. The study provides preliminary evidence that a guided imagery intervention may be effective in reducing maternal stress in hospitalized pregnant women and supports the feasibility of conducting a randomized clinical trial to further support incorporating this intervention into care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Richmond, Virginia 23298, USA. njallo@vcu.edu
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jallo
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cozens
authors.forename: Melanie W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rachael I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*