Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach
IntroductionIn the present study, the shared and distinct effects of two novel prenatal intervention protocols implemented during the last trimester of gestation on perinatal maternal wellbeing and perinatal outcomes were explored.MethodsA total of 250 pregnant women at 28 weeks gestation were rando...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1553946/full |
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| author | Martina Arioli Alessandra Consales Melissa Savoldi Ilenia Mastroianni Maria Lorella Gianni Maria Lorella Gianni Lorenzo Colombo Niccolò Giovannini Chiara Sacchi Viola Macchi Cassia |
| author_facet | Martina Arioli Alessandra Consales Melissa Savoldi Ilenia Mastroianni Maria Lorella Gianni Maria Lorella Gianni Lorenzo Colombo Niccolò Giovannini Chiara Sacchi Viola Macchi Cassia |
| author_sort | Martina Arioli |
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| description | IntroductionIn the present study, the shared and distinct effects of two novel prenatal intervention protocols implemented during the last trimester of gestation on perinatal maternal wellbeing and perinatal outcomes were explored.MethodsA total of 250 pregnant women at 28 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to either a Passive relaxation-based Protocol or an Active Protocol involving active maternal engagement in various motor activities during music listening. Anxiety and depression symptoms and attachment to the foetus/infant were assessed through self-report questionnaires before (t0) and after (t1) the protocol, as well 1.5 months postpartum (t2). Qualitative data on participants’ emotional experiences while performing the activities were collected through weekly diaries, together with adherence to the intervention protocol and the amount of engagement with the prescribed activities.ResultsGroup-level analyses showed that both protocols were associated with improvements in anxiety symptoms and attachment to the foetus/infant that extended to the postpartum period, while a different picture emerged for depression symptoms. Analyses of the data collected through the diaries revealed a more nuanced picture, showing that, within each group, maternal wellbeing outcomes and/or emotional experiences during the protocol were modulated by participants’ adherence and engagement with the prescribed activities. No differences between the two intervention groups were found in terms of the perinatal outcomes considered, but the number of relaxation sessions positively predicted newborns’ gestational age.DiscussionThese findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the effects of passive versus active prenatal interventions, and point to the importance of tailoring intervention strategies based on individual preferences and perinatal stage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8abf91bf19e46e3be719f96f97c13aa |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8abf91bf19e46e3be719f96f97c13aa2025-08-20T02:32:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-04-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15539461553946Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approachMartina Arioli0Alessandra Consales1Melissa Savoldi2Ilenia Mastroianni3Maria Lorella Gianni4Maria Lorella Gianni5Lorenzo Colombo6Niccolò Giovannini7Chiara Sacchi8Viola Macchi Cassia9Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2023-2027, University of Milan, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Dipartimento di Eccellenza 2023-2027, University of Milan, Milan, ItalyNICU, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, ItalyNICU, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, ItalyIntroductionIn the present study, the shared and distinct effects of two novel prenatal intervention protocols implemented during the last trimester of gestation on perinatal maternal wellbeing and perinatal outcomes were explored.MethodsA total of 250 pregnant women at 28 weeks gestation were randomly assigned to either a Passive relaxation-based Protocol or an Active Protocol involving active maternal engagement in various motor activities during music listening. Anxiety and depression symptoms and attachment to the foetus/infant were assessed through self-report questionnaires before (t0) and after (t1) the protocol, as well 1.5 months postpartum (t2). Qualitative data on participants’ emotional experiences while performing the activities were collected through weekly diaries, together with adherence to the intervention protocol and the amount of engagement with the prescribed activities.ResultsGroup-level analyses showed that both protocols were associated with improvements in anxiety symptoms and attachment to the foetus/infant that extended to the postpartum period, while a different picture emerged for depression symptoms. Analyses of the data collected through the diaries revealed a more nuanced picture, showing that, within each group, maternal wellbeing outcomes and/or emotional experiences during the protocol were modulated by participants’ adherence and engagement with the prescribed activities. No differences between the two intervention groups were found in terms of the perinatal outcomes considered, but the number of relaxation sessions positively predicted newborns’ gestational age.DiscussionThese findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the effects of passive versus active prenatal interventions, and point to the importance of tailoring intervention strategies based on individual preferences and perinatal stage.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1553946/fullprenatal interventionsmaternal mental healthperinatal outcomesactive prenatal protocolpassive prenatal protocolthematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Martina Arioli Alessandra Consales Melissa Savoldi Ilenia Mastroianni Maria Lorella Gianni Maria Lorella Gianni Lorenzo Colombo Niccolò Giovannini Chiara Sacchi Viola Macchi Cassia Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach Frontiers in Psychology prenatal interventions maternal mental health perinatal outcomes active prenatal protocol passive prenatal protocol thematic analysis |
| title | Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach |
| title_full | Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach |
| title_fullStr | Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach |
| title_short | Exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes: a combined quali-quantitative approach |
| title_sort | exploring shared and unique benefits of passive and active prenatal intervention protocols on maternal wellbeing and neonatal outcomes a combined quali quantitative approach |
| topic | prenatal interventions maternal mental health perinatal outcomes active prenatal protocol passive prenatal protocol thematic analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1553946/full |
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