Work

Comparing the effectiveness of two telemedicine counseling interventions on secondary tokophobia in single-child women: the study protocol of a pragmatic three-arm randomized controlled trial

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Identifying women with secondary tokophobia and offering effective counseling can reduce the psychological burden of their negative experience's childbirth. In light of Iran's population incentive policies, this research will compare the effects of two telemedicine-based counseling methods on secondary tokophobia in single-child women. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 will identify women with secondary tokophobia through a cross-sectional descriptive study using the Fear of Childbirth Prior to Pregnancy (FOCPP) tool. Phase 2 will be a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT), enrolling 102 single-child women with secondary tokophobia, block-randomized in blocks of six to receive either Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT - arm 1), motivational counselling (MC - arm 2), or standard care (control). The study will follow CONSORT-EHEALTH guidelines. Outcomes, including tokophobia, anxiety, depression, and postnatal PTSD, will be assessed at weeks four and eight using standardized questionnaires. Data will be analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS-24. DISCUSSION: Negative past experiences can lead to secondary tokophobia, where women fear future pregnancies, sometimes avoiding them altogether. Research shows that those with tokophobia may face anxiety, depression, and PTSD, necessitating counseling to encourage future pregnancies. This study will be aim to investigate two counseling interventions for single-child women with secondary tokophobia through a telemedicine approach in the context of Iranian population policies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials IRCT20240207060923N1. Registered 18 May 2024.

Source: Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2025.2500928

Authors: Maryam Ramezani, Mohsen Dehghani, Somaye Minaei Moghadam, Sedigheh Abdollahpour

Institution: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences