The effect of visual and verbal information during second-trimester ultrasound on state anxiety in pregnant women: a single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a period often accompanied by anxiety due to physiological changes, uncertainties, and concerns about fetal health. To determine whether providing visual and verbal information during second-trimester detailed ultrasound (US) affects the state anxiety levels of pregnant women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted between August and December 2023 and included 96 pregnant women who presented for detailed US at a university hospital in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned using a simple randomization method (random number generator) into an intervention group (n = 51), who received real-time visual and verbal information during the US, and a control group (n = 45), who received no information during the scan. Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered pre- and post-procedure. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program with independent and paired sample t-tests and chi-square tests, with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Pre-test STAI-State scores were similar between groups (intervention: 36.41 ± 9.8, control: 37.58 ± 10.9; p = 0.584). Post-test scores significantly decreased in the intervention group (29.9 ± 9.8; p < 0.001) and increased in the control group (43.9 ± 10.7; p < 0.001). The difference in post-test scores between groups was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). Trait anxiety scores were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.841), confirming baseline comparability. Conclusions: Visual and verbal information provided during detailed US significantly reduces pregnant women's state anxiety levels. Integrating structured, reassuring communication into US examinations may enhance maternal psychological well-being during prenatal care. Trial registration: This study was registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov platform, one of the international clinical trial registration systems, and the registration number is NCT05960357/ https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05960357. The date of registration is July 14, 2023 (registered prospectively).