The Effects of Listening to Lullabies and Self-Selected Music at Home on Prenatal Stress and Anxiety in Nulliparous Pregnant Women: A Randomized-Controlled Study

Abstract

To compare the effects of nulliparous pregnant women listening to lullabies and self-selected music on reducing the anxiety and antenatal stress. This was a randomized controlled study. Lullaby group (LG) (n = 40) listened to the lullaby chosen by the researcher, mixed music group (MG) (n = 40) listened to self-selected music and control group (CG) (n = 40) received general care. Post-test anxiety and stress levels was lower in two intervention groups versus CG (p < 0.01). Post-test anxiety was lower in the MG versus LG (p < 0.01), however post-test stress levels were similar. Pregnant women listening to self-selected music at home is more effective in reducing anxiety.