Aim:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of mandala coloring on labor pain, childbirth experience, and maternal satisfaction in pregnant women.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-post test group design including measurements at multiple time points. The study population consisted of pregnant women admitted for vaginal delivery to the labor unit of a hospital between June 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. Sample size was calculated using the G\*Power 3.1.9.7 program. In the sample size calculation, the Cohen's d = 0.80 value obtained from the reference study was used as the basis and was converted to an approximate effect size of f = 0.40. Analysis performed with a 5% significance level and 80% statistical power indicated that the required minimum sample size for the three groups was 66 participants in total. To prevent potential data loss, support voluntary participation, and increase statistical power, 36 participants were initially planned for each group; however, because one participant in each intervention group was younger than 18 years of age and was therefore excluded, the study was completed with a total of 106 participants in the mandala coloring (n = 35), Nada Yoga music (n = 35), and control (n = 36) groups.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age ≥18 years
* No communication barriers
* Pregnant women admitted to Ağrı Training and Research Hospital for vaginal delivery
* Willingness to participate in the study
* No contraindication to normal vaginal delivery (e.g., cephalopelvic disproportion)
* Term pregnancy (38-42 weeks of gestation)
* Absence of any chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
* No condition preventing mandala coloring (e.g., hand or finger injuries, structural impairments)
* No condition preventing listening to music (e.g., hearing impairment)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnant women who prefer cesarean delivery despite having no contraindication to vaginal birth
* Failure to respond to the questionnaire items
* Presence of psychiatric disorders (e.g., social phobia, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
* Conditions requiring emergency cesarean section during the first stage of labor
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This study tested Nada Yoga music and mandala coloring as non-drug methods to manage pain and anxiety during labor — since it's already completed, would my doctor have access to any of the findings, and could these approaches be something I try during my own labor?
2The trial measured pain using the Visual Analog Scale and anxiety using the State Anxiety Inventory — based on what's known so far, how meaningful were any differences in pain or anxiety compared to laboring without these techniques?
3Since this was a non-drug, complementary intervention study, are there any situations specific to my pregnancy or labor plan where using music or coloring activities during labor could be discouraged or interfere with monitoring or other care?
4The trial also tracked birth satisfaction and the overall labor process — is there evidence from this or similar studies that non-pharmacological comfort methods like these actually improve how women feel about their birth experience, or is the effect mainly in the moment during contractions?
5If I'm interested in trying Nada Yoga music or mandala coloring during my labor, what would that actually look like in the delivery setting my doctor uses, and would I still have access to standard pain relief options like an epidural if I needed one?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.