Feasibility and Acceptability of Guided Imagery to Sequentially Address Multiple Health Behaviors During Pregnancy.

Peter Giacobbi, Danielle Symons Downs, Treah Haggerty, Stanislav Pidhorskyi, D Leann Long, Melanie Clemmer, Shari A Steinman, Melissa D Olfert, Kelsey Kinnamon, Neel Rao, Hannah Staggs, Donald Adjeroh

Journal: Journal of midwifery & women's health 2021;66(5):664-670

PMID: 34510697

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy presents health challenges related to well-being, physical activity, dietary regulation, and body image. There is evidence to support the use of guided imagery to address these concerns during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the use and short-term outcomes of a multiple-behavior guided imagery intervention delivered through a mobile health (mHealth) application for pregnant women.

METHODS

A single-arm, 5-week feasibility trial was conducted, and participants were instructed to listen to an audio file every day for 35 days on an mHealth application. Measurements included ongoing assessments of the participants' use of the guided imagery audio files and pre- and post-test measures of depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, food cravings, and body image. Postintervention qualitative interviews were conducted to assess whether participants would continue to use guided imagery.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight participants (mean age, 28.5 years) were enrolled from January to June of 2018. Cloud analytics data showed an average of 4.96 audio downloads per week with the Sleep and Relaxation file being the most widely used (mean weekly usage, 5.67) and reported favorite during follow-up interviews. Paired-sample t tests from pre- to post-test showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress, increased physical activity, and sedentary behavior along with some changes in body image.

DISCUSSION

Future scalable guided imagery interventions are justified to test for efficacy. Guided imagery may also be delivered in person by health care providers or by using widely available technologies.

Address: Department of Sport Sciences, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania.; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.; Department of Nutritional Sciences, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.

DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.13251

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MeSH Terms: Adult, Diet, Exercise, Feasibility Studies, Female, Health Behavior, Humans, Imagery, Psychotherapy, Pregnancy