Labor PainNCT07566026
Breathing Exercises During Labor and Maternal Outcomes
A study testing Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor in people with Labor Pain and Anxiety, run by Nilgun Avci at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of guided breathing exercises applied during labor on maternal stress, pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to a breathing exercise group or a routine care group. 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
- Labor Pain, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological
- What is being tested?
- Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 124 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2021to 30 Jul 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase
- Women planning vaginal birth
- Volunteered to participate
Who cannot join
- Women who did not speak Turkish
- Women with auditory or mental health problems
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Breathing Exercises During Labor on Maternal Stress, Satisfaction, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of guided breathing exercises applied during labor on maternal stress, pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to a breathing exercise group or a routine care group. Maternal psychological outcomes and labor-related clinical outcomes were compared between groups.
Read the detailed description
Labor is a physiological process that may be accompanied by pain, anxiety, and psychological stress, which can negatively affect birth satisfaction and labor outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as breathing exercises are widely used to support women during labor.
In this randomized controlled experimental study, pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving guided breathing exercises throughout labor or a control group receiving routine intrapartum care only. Breathing exercises were applied continuously during uterine contractions until full cervical dilatation.
Maternal pain intensity, anxiety, traumatic birth perception, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes including labor duration and obstetric interventions were assessed using validated measurement tools. The study aimed to determine whether breathing exercises could improve maternal psychological well-being, enhance birth satisfaction, and positively influence labor outcomes.
- Conditions
- Labor Pain, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological
- Being tested
- Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor
- Keywords
- Breathing exercises, Labor, Birth satisfaction, Non-pharmacological intervention, Intrapartum care
- Medical subject headings
- Labor Pain, Anxiety Disorders, Stress, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Guided Breathing Exercises During LaborBehavioural
Pregnant women were instructed and guided to perform slow, controlled breathing exercises during each uterine contraction from the latent phase until full cervical dilatation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants received guided breathing exercises throughout labor in addition to routine intrapartum care. Receives: Behavioral: Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor |
| Routine Care Group | No intervention | Participants received routine intrapartum care only. No breathing exercises were applied. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Birth Satisfaction
Birth satisfaction assessed using the Short Form of the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS-R).
Scores range from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.
Measured: During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Secondary outcomes (5)
Labor Pain Intensity
Pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Scores range from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate more severe pain.
Measured: Repeatedly during labor from admission to the labor unit until delivery.
Labor-Related Anxiety
Anxiety measured using the Oxford Worries About Labour Scale. Scores range from 10 to 40; higher scores indicate greater anxiety.
Measured: During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Traumatic Birth Perception
Traumatic birth perception measured using the Traumatic Birth Perception Scale. Scores range from 0 to 130; higher scores indicate greater traumatic perception.
Measured: At admission to the labor unit (baseline) and during the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Fetal Heart Rate During NST
Fetal heart rate assessed from NST recordings during the monitoring session. Measured in beats per minute; normal patterns indicate better fetal well-being.
Measured: During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit).
Fetal Movement Count During NST
Number of fetal movements recorded by the mother using the event marker during NST monitoring.
Higher counts indicate greater fetal activity.
Measured: During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 May 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2021
- Primary completion30 Jul 2021
- Study completion30 Jul 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Labor PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nilgun Avci
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Nilgun Avci, Biruni University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07566026
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Effects of Breathing Exercises
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 4 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Breathing Exercises During Labor on Maternal Stress, Satisfaction, and Birth Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07566026
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Effects of Breathing Exercises
- Conditions
- Labor Pain, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological
- Keywords
- Breathing exercises, Labor, Birth satisfaction, Non-pharmacological intervention, Intrapartum care
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Nilgun AvciUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jul 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jul 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 May 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.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of guided breathing exercises applied during labor on maternal stress, pain, anxiety, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to a breathing exercise group or a routine care group. Maternal psychological outcomes and labor-related clinical outcomes were compared between groups.
Detailed description
Labor is a physiological process that may be accompanied by pain, anxiety, and psychological stress, which can negatively affect birth satisfaction and labor outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as breathing exercises are widely used to support women during labor.
In this randomized controlled experimental study, pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving guided breathing exercises throughout labor or a control group receiving routine intrapartum care only. Breathing exercises were applied continuously during uterine contractions until full cervical dilatation.
Maternal pain intensity, anxiety, traumatic birth perception, birth satisfaction, and labor outcomes including labor duration and obstetric interventions were assessed using validated measurement tools. The study aimed to determine whether breathing exercises could improve maternal psychological well-being, enhance birth satisfaction, and positively influence labor outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Guided Breathing Exercises During LaborParticipants received guided breathing exercises throughout labor in addition to routine intrapartum care. |
| Routine Care Group | No intervention | –Participants received routine intrapartum care only. No breathing exercises were applied. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Pregnant women admitted to the labor and delivery unit during the latent phase
- Women planning vaginal birth
- Volunteered to participate
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Women who did not speak Turkish
- Women with auditory or mental health problems
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Breathing Exercises During LaborPregnant women were instructed and guided to perform slow, controlled breathing exercises during each uterine contraction from the latent phase until full cervical dilatation. | Behavioural | Breathing Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Birth Satisfaction
Time frame: During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Birth satisfaction assessed using the Short Form of the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS-R). Scores range from 0 to 40; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.
5 secondary outcomes
Labor Pain Intensity
Time frame: Repeatedly during labor from admission to the labor unit until delivery.
Labor-Related Anxiety
Time frame: During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Traumatic Birth Perception
Time frame: At admission to the labor unit (baseline) and during the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).
Fetal Heart Rate During NST
Time frame: During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit).
Fetal Movement Count During NST
Time frame: During the NST monitoring session (approximately 20 minutes, same visit).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 May 2026.
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Guided Breathing Exercises During Labor in people with Labor Pain and Anxiety, run by Nilgun Avci 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 3 inclusion and 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Birth Satisfaction (time frame: During the fourth stage of labor (within 2 hours after birth).). 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 4 May 2026.