The Effect of Sleep Enhancement Educational Program on Maternal Sleep Quality for Nulliparous Pregnant Women: A Randomized-Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a critical period during which women usually do not prefer taking medication. Therefore, non-pharmacological and safe methods are needed to improve sleep quality during pregnancy. This study aims to identify whether an educational program on sleep enhancement for pregnant women has any effect on maternal sleep quality. METHOD: This was a randomized-controlled trial. Pregnant women (N = 181) were divided into two groups, an intervention group (n = 90) and a control group (n = 91). A two-session educational program for the enhancement of sleep quality was provided to the intervention group, whereas solely the routine practices of the hospital were put in place for the control group. RESULTS: The intervention group had a significantly lower mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, and accordingly, better sleep quality than the control group. Participation in the education program was significantly related to sleep quality and accounted for 6% of the total variance in sleep quality (R2 = 0.055) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the educational program on sleep enhancement implemented to improve the sleep quality of pregnant women enhanced maternal sleep quality. TRIAL REGISTRATION URL  clinicaltrials.gov . REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04262349.