The effect of lifestyle-based education to women and their husbands on the anxiety and depression during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of lifestyle-based education to women and their husbands on anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Method: This controlled trial was conducted on 189 pregnant women. Participants were allocated into three groups through block randomization. In the first intervention group, both women and their husbands, and in the second one, only women received the lifestyle-based education. In the control group, women received only the routine care. Edinburgh depression and Spielberger anxiety questionnaires were completed at baseline and 8 weeks after it. Results: Compared to the control group, significant reductions were observed in the scores of depression (adjusted difference: -4.7; 95% CI: -5.9 to -3.4), state anxiety (-8.1; -11.3 to -4.9) and trait anxiety (-8.3; -11.9 to -5.0) in the first intervention group, and in the scores of depression (-2.9; -4.1 to -1.6), state anxiety (-4.3; -7.5 to -1.1) and trait anxiety (-5.5; 95% CI: -8.7 to -2.3) in the second intervention group. Comparing the two intervention groups, mean scores of depression and state anxiety were significantly lower in the first group. Conclusion: Results suggested the positive effect of lifestyle education to women and their husbands on depression and anxiety during pregnancy.