Effect of Rhythm Therapy Practices on Fetal Learning, Prenatal Attachment and Prenatal Distress

Plain-language summary

The concept of prenatal attachment defines the relationship between the pregnant woman and the foetus. The attachment established between the mother and the baby is an important factor in the quality of care and survival of the baby in the postnatal period, and the quality of the interaction established with the mother is also a determinant of the cognitive and social development of the baby. One of the factors affecting prenatal attachment is the stress factor. Stress also affects foetal life and has negative consequences in many life stages including neonatal period, childhood and adulthood. Another factor affecting prenatal attachment is foetal learning, which is defined as the process of intrauterine memory development. Within the scope of this study, rhythm therapy and music applications based on rhythm applications and mother's voice will be used. The effects of rhythm therapy during pregnancy on fetal learning, prenatal stress, prenatal attachment and neonatal outcomes will be examined in this study. In addition, within the scope of the study, a mobile application will be developed and installed on the phones of pregnant women and the processes related to fetal learning will be monitored online through this application. The study was planned as a randomised controlled study. All pregnant women who agree to participate in the study will first be administered the descriptive characteristics form, prenatal attachment and prenatal stress scales. Then, online trainings about the topics included in the study will be given and a mobile application will be installed on their phones. Pregnant women will be divided into 3 groups; pregnant women in the 1st group will be taught rhythmic song writing, pregnant women in the 2nd group will be taught to play rhythmic instruments and the 3rd group will be determined as the control group. The women will apply rhythmic music applications to the foetus for 20 minutes every 2 days for 2 days every week until the birth and will make coding through the mobile application installed on their phones. The response of the fetus to the music applications will be evaluated through fetal movements. At 37 weeks of gestation, prenatal attachment and prenatal stress scales will be applied and the effect of music applications will be evaluated. In this way, the effects of music practices applied in the fetal period on fetal memory, prenatal attachment and prenatal stress will be evaluated at the same time. A study of this type has not yet been found in the domestic and foreign literature. In addition, the use of mobile application within the scope of the study will contribute to the literature on mobile health applications.

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