Effects of Self-Empowerment-Affirmation-Relaxation [Self-EAR] Program on Postpartum Blues (PPB) Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The Self-Empowerment-Affirmation-Relaxation [Self-EAR] Program is an alternative intervention, transformed into MP3 audio files, and developed for new blues postpartum mothers. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Self-EAR program to improve the postpartum blues scores and serum allopregnanolone level among new blues mothers in Phayao province during June 2015 to May 2016. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 76 postpartum blues mothers (intervention 39, control 37). All participants were randomly assigned either to the intervention group (Self-EAR program), or the control group (standard postpartum care program). The Self-EAR program was transformed into audio files which installed in the MP3 digital device before provided to the intervention group to implement at home 3 times per day for 4 weeks. Evaluation postpartum blues scores and serum allopregnanolone level by using self-report postpartum blues questionnaires at baseline, 1-month, 2-month, and 3-month follow-up. Data were analyzed by using Descriptive statistic, Fisher's Exact Test, Chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U test , and Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance. After the 3-month follow-up, the results revealed positive effect of the Self-EAR program on postpartum blues scores [p-value=0.002] and serum allopregnanolone concertations [p-value=0.001]. The postpartum blues scores in the intervention group had statistical sinificant lower than the postpartum blues scores in control group, on the other hand, serum allopregnanolone level in the intervention group had statistical significant higher than serum allopregnonolone level when compared with the control group. The findings suggested that the Self-EAR program was applicable to improve postpartum blues scores and allopregnanolone serum level among new postpartum blues mothers.