Effect of a Play-based Intervention on the Anxiety of Mothers of Premature Babies Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective The present study aims to examine the effect of a play-based intervention on the anxiety of mothers of premature babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Materials & Methods This is a non-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial. The participants were recruited from among the mothers of premature babies (0.05). The ANCOVA results showed that the effect size of intervention on state anxiety (P=0.001) and total anxiety score (P=0.004) was 27% and 20%, respectively. Conclusion The play-based intervention, can reduce the anxiety of mothers of premature babies admitted to the NICU and consequently affect the growth of children and mental health of family and society.

Keywords

• premature baby
• neonatal intensive care unit
• play
• maternal anxiety
• neonatal interventions