Effectiveness of empathic caring on stress and depression for women with recurrent miscarriage: A randomized controlled trial. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Shu-Chen; Kuo, Pao-Lin; Chen, Chung-Hey
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 43(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Recurrent miscarriage -- Empathic caring -- Nursing counseling -- Perceived stress -- Depression; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101367
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of empathic caring on sleep quality, depression, stress, and social support in women with recurrent miscarriage. Materials and methods: Sixty-two eligible women were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 31), which received three face-to-face nursing counseling sessions, or the control group (n = 31). Outcome measures included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Edinburgh Prenatal Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Results: Paired-sample t-tests revealed that, after receiving nursing counseling, the participants in the experimental group showed significant decreases in stress and depression. However, no significant mean differences were found in the control group between the pretest and the 12-week posttest for any of the four outcome measures. Conclusion: Clinical healthcare professionals may incorporate empathic caring into health-promotion protocols to assist women with recurrent miscarriage to improve their psychosocial health. Highlights: Women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) receiving nursing counseling can significantly reduce stress and depressive symptoms. Counseling with empathetic discussion is helpful for women with RM to facilitate self-awareness and positive thinking. Clinical healthcare professionals may incorporate empathic caring into health-promotion protocols for women with RM.