Effects of guided imagery, and breathing exercise device on nausea-vomiting, and anxiety in hyperemesis gravidarum.
Emine Karacan, Emine Karacan
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomised controlled study compared guided imagery and device-assisted diaphragmatic breathing, each alongside routine antiemetic treatment, with a control group in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum. The breathing-exercise group showed the greatest improvements in nausea-vomiting severity and pregnancy-related anxiety. On the first day, post-test PUQE scores were lower with breathing exercises than with guided imagery (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.05). Post-test fear-of-childbirth scores also differed in favour of both intervention groups (p < 0.001).
Key findings
- On the first day, post-test PUQE scores were significantly lower in the breathing-exercise group than in the guided-imagery group (p < 0.001) and control group (p < 0.05).
- Post-test fear-of-childbirth scores favoured both intervention groups over control (p < 0.001).
- The breathing-exercise group showed the most substantial improvements in PUQE and PRAQ-R2 scores.
Why it matters
Hyperemesis gravidarum involves substantial nausea and vomiting, and pregnancy-related anxiety may also be relevant to care. This trial suggests that guided imagery and diaphragmatic breathing, used alongside routine antiemetic treatment, may improve both symptom severity and anxiety measures. The findings offer evidence for considering these supportive approaches, while the abstract does not establish their effects beyond the study setting or follow-up.