Effect of NICU Department Orientation Program on Mother’s Anxiety: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal intensive care unit induces the high level of anxiety for mothers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of NICU orientation program on the anxiety of mothers who had preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial (three parallel groups). Participants included 99 mothers with preterm newborns hospitalized in NICU of Al- Zahra hospital, affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Mothers were randomly assigned to one of three groups (film, booklet, and control). Mothers completed the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory before entering to the NICU, and then mothers in the experiment groups became familiar with the NICU environment through watching a film or reading booklet. After the first NICU visit, all mothers completed the STAI and Cattell's Anxiety Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 13 software. Results: There was no significant difference between three groups regarding state- trait anxiety before the intervention. After the first NICU visit, a significant reduction in maternal state anxiety was seen in the both experiment groups. There was no statistical significant difference regarding trait anxiety. Data obtained from Cattell's anxiety questionnaire after intervention, showed significant difference in state anxiety between groups. Conclusion: Employing film and booklet orientation strategy after preterm delivery can reduce the mother’s anxiety and beneficent for the mother, baby, family and health care system.

Stress Management among Parents of Neonates Hospitalized in NICU: A Qualitative Study

“… 31 Valizadeh et al, reported that using orientation program through watching a film or reading a booklet for mothers who had preterm delivery, before entering to NICU; is an effective strategy for reducing the maternal anxiety. 32 …”

A randomized controlled clinical trial of the effect of supportive counseling on mental health in Iranian mothers of premature infants

“…Confirming the results of the research, in the study of Ghodrati et al [ 38 ], training neonatal care during a 45-60-minute session to mothers of premature infants significantly reduced their anxiety levels in 10 days after delivery ( P = 0.002). In another study, Valizadeh et al [ 39 ] placed 99 mothers of preterm infants into one of three groups: film, booklet, and control. The mothers completed the State- Trait Anxiety Inventory before entering the neonatal intensive care unit.…”

Impact of a video or photography‐assisted adaptation program on the concerns and social stigmatization‐related perceptions of first‐time psychiatric inpatients

“…Although such a deficiency constitutes a limitation of this study, the technologysupported orientations foundin the literature aimed to relieve the concerns of inpatients in surgical-internal clinics before any procedure. 2,7,23,24,37,38,40 According to the results of these studies, the concerns of inpatients arise from uncertainties about the future or informational deficiencies regarding the procedures following their first-time admission to psychiatric clinics. These results are similar to those of this study.…”