Impact of Nested Vark (Visual, Auditory, Read, Kinesthetic) Strategies on Parental Attachment, Anxiety, Maternal and Fetal Outcome Among First Time Childbearing Couples: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The transition to parenthood is not only a tremendous joy but also great stress to a mother (especially a primigravida) both physically and psychologically. The purpose of this research is to improve confidence in first-time childbearing couples, increase parental attachment, alleviate anxiety and promote the maternal and neonatal outcomes of delivery. In a randomized controlled trial design, simple randomization was utilized to enroll 300 first-time childbearing couples who have completed the 24th week of gestation (150 in control and experimental arms). Nested refers to fully contained antenatal exercises, kick chart monitoring, and the use of a preggy imitator. VARK strategies indicate visual (information exhibited through demonstration), auditory (preference for information that is heard or spoken through lectures), read (information displayed as words, text-based input and output), and kinesthetic (preference for gathering information through experience and practice, simulated real, through concrete personal experiences) strategies along with routine care were executed on the experimental group. Data was collected using Condon's Parental Attachment Scale and Perinatal Anxiety Scale during the pre-test at the 24th week and post-tests at the 32nd, 33-34, and 36-38 weeks of gestation respectively, after the intervention through the self-administration method. Maternal and fetal outcomes were identified through medical records within 24 to 48 hours after delivery. The pre-test parental attachment mean score was significantly increased in post-test (Mothers: 61.44±3.27 to 77.89±32.44, fathers: 51.44±1.93 to 58.89±24.86) the for experimental group after the intervention compared to the control group (Pre-test score mother: 61.41±2.98 to 66.43±31.55, father: 51.24±3.95 to 49.30± 23.55) at p <0.001. The pre-test anxiety mean score was significantly reduced after intervention (mother: 44.60±3.92 to 16.57± 8.18, father: 22.55±3.41 to 6.28±4.47) for the experimental group compared to the control group (mother=46.22±5.12 to 25.03± 13.89, father=22.62±3.39 to 17.92± 9.92) at p <0. 001. The study findings recommend VARK strategies to be advocated with existing hands-on childbirth preparation classes for childbearing couples.