Maternal StressNCT07332039
The Effect of Watching Cat Videos on Non-Stress Test Results And Stress Parameters in Pregnant Women
A study testing Group watching cat videos and Non-Video Watching Group in people with Maternal Stress and Fetal Well-Being, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Pregnancy is a period in which women are physiologically and psychologically vulnerable, and the stress experienced can affect both maternal mental health and fetal well-being. The non-stress test (NST), used to assess fetal health in the final weeks of pregnancy, can cause anxiety in some women because it requires… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Maternal Stress, Fetal Well-Being
- What is being tested?
- Group watching cat videos and Non-Video Watching Group
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Jan 2026to 5 Feb 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Pregnant women who are primiparous,
- Able to communicate in Turkish,
- In their 34th-40th weeks of pregnancy,
- Have no problems that would prevent them from viewing visual or auditory materials,
- Have the cognitive ability to understand interactive video content,
- Have not engaged in physical exercise for at least 2 hours prior to fetal heart rate monitoring will be included in the study.
Who cannot join
- Pregnant women with multiple pregnancies,
- Uterine contractions detected during NST,
- Diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, etc.),
- A phobia of cats (ailurophobia),
- Pregnant women who became pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies (ART),
- Have a history of a diagnosed endocrinological (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome) or psychiatric (e.g., anxiety disorder, depression) disease will be excluded from the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul University- Cerrahpasa
Istanbul
Rukiye Research assistant, +90 5530315895, rukiye.duman@iuc.edu.tr
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Watching Cat Videos on Maternal Stress and Fetal Well-being: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Pregnancy is a period in which women are physiologically and psychologically vulnerable, and the stress experienced can affect both maternal mental health and fetal well-being. The non-stress test (NST), used to assess fetal health in the final weeks of pregnancy, can cause anxiety in some women because it requires the mother to remain supine and immobile for extended periods. Prolonged testing or non-reactive results can also increase this stress. Therefore, simple methods are needed to reduce stress during NST. Humorous and cute content, especially animal videos, is known to promote positive emotions and psychological relaxation. This study evaluated the effects of watching cat videos during NST on stress levels and fetal physiological parameters in primiparous pregnant women.
Read the detailed description
Pregnancy is a sensitive period during which women experience a variety of changes, both physiologically and psychologically. Stress factors encountered during this period can negatively impact the mother's mental health and fetal well-being. Non-stress testing (NST) is a non-invasive screening method frequently performed in the final weeks of pregnancy to assess fetal health. However, during the NST, the mother lies motionless in a supine position for approximately 20 minutes, during which time she attempts to obtain sufficient data on the baby's heart rate and movements, which can cause stress and anxiety in some women. A prolonged duration or a non-reactive test result can be a cause for concern. Therefore, simple and effective methods are needed to reduce maternal stress during the NST. Humorous and cute content, especially animal videos, are known to evoke positive emotions and provide psychological relief in viewers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of watching a cat video during the NST procedure on stress parameters and fetal physiological parameters in primiparous pregnant women.
- Conditions
- Maternal Stress, Fetal Well-Being
- Being tested
- Group watching cat videos, Non-Video Watching Group
- Keywords
- Fetal Well-Being, Maternal Stress, Cat Videos
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Group watching cat videosBehavioural
The cat video, which will be shown to pregnant women as part of the study, will be implemented as an intervention to reduce participants' stress levels during the NST. The NST session takes approximately 20 minutes, and the video will be played for this duration. The content of the video will be carefully selected to create a relaxing and entertaining effect on the audience. Participants will begin watching the video immediately after connecting to the NST device and will continue to watch throughout the NST. This process aims to calm participants, reduce stress levels, and promote overall relaxation.
Non-Video Watching GroupBehavioural
Participants randomly assigned to the control group will also rest for 10 minutes in a private room and all initial measurements will be taken.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Participants randomly assigned to the control group will also rest in a private room for 10 minutes, after which all initial measurements will be taken. A routine NST will then be performed. Receives: Behavioral: Non-Video Watching Group |
| Intervention group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Group watching cat videos |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The effect of watching cat videos on stress parameters in pregnant women
Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group will be taken to a designated room determined by the researcher before the NST for their initial measurements. The "Pregnant Women Demographic Information Form" and the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-1)" will be administered. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, cortisol, and ACTH levels will be measured. All physiological measurements except ACTH and cortisol will be performed at three time points: before the NST (2 minutes before start), in the middle of the NST (approximately 10 minutes), and after the NST (2 minutes after completion). The "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-1)" will also be administered after the NST. Following the NST, satisfaction levels will also be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Measured: This procedure will be performed during the NST for pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and who are between weeks 34 and 40 of gestation.
Secondary outcomes (1)
The effect of watching cat videos on physiological parameters of the fetus
Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group will be taken to a designated room determined by the researcher before the NST for their initial measurements. The fetal heart rate and reactivity will be assessed using the NST device. To determine fetal well-being, the Non-Stress Test-Baseline, Non-Stress Test-Variability, Non-Stress Test-Acceleration, and Non-Stress Test-Deceleration numbers will be examined.
Measured: This procedure will be performed during the NST for pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and who are between weeks 34 and 40 of gestation.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jan 2026
- Study start25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion2 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion5 Feb 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Maternal StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istanbul University - CerrahpasaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rukiye Duman, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07332039
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IstanbulUC-EBE-RD-02
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 11 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Watching Cat Videos on Maternal Stress and Fetal Well-being: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07332039
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IstanbulUC-EBE-RD-02
- Conditions
- Maternal Stress, Fetal Well-Being
- Keywords
- Fetal Well-Being, Maternal Stress, Cat Videos
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 2 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 5 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Pregnancy is a period in which women are physiologically and psychologically vulnerable, and the stress experienced can affect both maternal mental health and fetal well-being. The non-stress test (NST), used to assess fetal health in the final weeks of pregnancy, can cause anxiety in some women because it requires the mother to remain supine and immobile for extended periods. Prolonged testing or non-reactive results can also increase this stress. Therefore, simple methods are needed to reduce stress during NST. Humorous and cute content, especially animal videos, is known to promote positive emotions and psychological relaxation. This study evaluated the effects of watching cat videos during NST on stress levels and fetal physiological parameters in primiparous pregnant women.
Detailed description
Pregnancy is a sensitive period during which women experience a variety of changes, both physiologically and psychologically. Stress factors encountered during this period can negatively impact the mother's mental health and fetal well-being. Non-stress testing (NST) is a non-invasive screening method frequently performed in the final weeks of pregnancy to assess fetal health. However, during the NST, the mother lies motionless in a supine position for approximately 20 minutes, during which time she attempts to obtain sufficient data on the baby's heart rate and movements, which can cause stress and anxiety in some women. A prolonged duration or a non-reactive test result can be a cause for concern. Therefore, simple and effective methods are needed to reduce maternal stress during the NST. Humorous and cute content, especially animal videos, are known to evoke positive emotions and provide psychological relief in viewers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of watching a cat video during the NST procedure on stress parameters and fetal physiological parameters in primiparous pregnant women.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- Single blind (care provider)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A Randomized Controlled Trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Non-Video Watching GroupParticipants randomly assigned to the control group will also rest in a private room for 10 minutes, after which all initial measurements will be taken. A routine NST will then be performed. |
| Intervention group | Experimental | Behavioral: Group watching cat videos |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Pregnant women who are primiparous,
- Able to communicate in Turkish,
- In their 34th-40th weeks of pregnancy,
- Have no problems that would prevent them from viewing visual or auditory materials,
- Have the cognitive ability to understand interactive video content,
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Pregnant women with multiple pregnancies,
- Uterine contractions detected during NST,
- Diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy (preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta previa, etc.),
- A phobia of cats (ailurophobia),
- Pregnant women who became pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies (ART),
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Group watching cat videosThe cat video, which will be shown to pregnant women as part of the study, will be implemented as an intervention to reduce participants' stress levels during the NST. The NST session takes approximately 20 minutes, and the video will be played for this duration. The content of the video will be carefully selected to create a relaxing and entertaining effect on the audience. Participants will begin watching the video immediately after connecting to the NST device and will continue to watch throughout the NST. This process aims to calm participants, reduce stress levels, and promote overall relaxation. | Behavioural | Intervention group |
| Non-Video Watching GroupParticipants randomly assigned to the control group will also rest for 10 minutes in a private room and all initial measurements will be taken. | Behavioural | Control Group |
Primary outcome
The effect of watching cat videos on stress parameters in pregnant women
Time frame: This procedure will be performed during the NST for pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and who are between weeks 34 and 40 of gestation.
Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group will be taken to a designated room determined by the researcher before the NST for their initial measurements. The "Pregnant Women Demographic Information Form" and the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-1)" will be administered. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, cortisol, and ACTH levels will be measured. All physiological measurements except ACTH and cortisol will be performed at three time points: before the NST (2 minutes before start), in the middle of the NST (approximately 10 minutes), and after the NST (2 minutes after completion). The "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-1)" will also be administered after the NST. Following the NST, satisfaction levels will also be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
1 secondary outcome
The effect of watching cat videos on physiological parameters of the fetus
Time frame: This procedure will be performed during the NST for pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and who are between weeks 34 and 40 of gestation.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Group watching cat videos and Non-Video Watching Group in people with Maternal Stress and Fetal Well-Being, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Rukiye Duman Research assistant (+90 5530315895, rukiye.duman@iuc.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The effect of watching cat videos on stress parameters in pregnant women (time frame: This procedure will be performed during the NST for pregnant women experiencing their first pregnancy and who are between weeks 34 and 40 of gestation.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Feb 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.