Effect of Care Brochure and Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Heartburn and Quality of Life among Antenatal Women: A Quasi-experimental Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Introduction: Heart Burn is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy and it is mostly caused by physiological and hormonal changes. It can adversely affect maternal comfort, everyday activities, sleep, and general Quality of Life (QoL). Pregnancy-related discomforts can be safely and effectively managed with non pharmacological therapies. Aim: To evaluate the effect of care brochure and progressive muscle relaxation on heart burn and QoL among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Department of Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, a tertiary care hospital, Kerala, South India, from October 2023 to June 2024. A total of 250 antenatal women with heart burn were selected using consecutive sampling, with 125 participants in each intervention and control group. The intervention group received a self-care brochure comprising lifestyle and dietary modifications along with training in progressive muscle relaxation, while the control group received routine antenatal care. Heart burn symptoms were assessed using the Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS), and QoL was measured using the QoL/GRAV Questionnaire before and after the intervention. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare two independent groups. Results: Baseline sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were comparable between the intervention and control groups, with no statistically significant differences in most assessed variables, except occupational status (p=0.037). The findings indicated that women in the intervention group experienced fewer heart burn symptoms, with a median {Interquartile Range (IQR)} score of 4 (2), compared with 7 (2) among those in the control group. Heart burn-related distress was also lower in the intervention group, with a median (IQR) score of 1 (0.25), compared with 2 (0.488) in the control group. After the intervention, overall QoL improved substantially (p<0.05). The intervention group demonstrated better QoL, reflected by a lower median (IQR) QoL score of 26 (3), compared with 34 (2) in the control group. Conclusion: Self-care practices that include dietary and lifestyle changes, along with progressive muscle relaxation, are safe, effective, and affordable non pharmacological treatments for reducing heart burn symptoms and improving pregnant women’s QoL.
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $275
OpenAlex ID: W7225107907