The Effectiveness of Relaxation Meditation on Anxiety in Third Trimester Pregnant Women at Embung Fatimah Regional Hospital Batam, Indonesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Anxiety during the third trimester of pregnancy can negatively impact both maternal and fetal well-being. Relaxation meditation has shown promise as a non-pharmacological intervention for anxiety reduction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured relaxation meditation program on anxiety levels in third-trimester pregnant women at Embung Fatimah Regional Hospital Batam, Indonesia. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 third-trimester pregnant women. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=30), receiving a six-week relaxation meditation program, or a control group (n=30) receiving standard prenatal care. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at baseline, after the intervention (week 6), and at a four-week follow-up. Significant reductions in both state and trait anxiety scores were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group at week 6 (p<0.001) and at the four-week follow-up (p<0.01). No adverse events were reported in either group. Relaxation meditation is an effective and safe intervention for reducing anxiety in third-trimester pregnant women. This study supports the integration of relaxation meditation into routine prenatal care at Embung Fatimah Regional Hospital Batam and potentially other healthcare settings.