Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Mental Toughness Interventions During Birth on the Pelvic Floor in the Postpartum Period

This randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effect of mental toughness interventions initiated during the third trimester of pregnancy and applied during childbirth on pelvic floor-related distress in the postpartum period. The mental toughness interventions consisted of breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, focusing/concentration, and imagery. Pregnant women were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group were taught the mental toughness interventions during the third trimester and received follow-up training sessions at 32-34 and 36-38 weeks of gestation. During labor, the interventions were applied at cervical dilations of 5-7 cm and 8-9 cm. The control group received routine care. Mind-body index was assessed using the HeartMath device in both groups during labor. Pelvic floor-related distress was assessed using the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 at baseline and at 6 weeks postpartum.

The Effect of Pre-Breastfeeding Breathing Exercises on Maternal Anxiety, Well-being, and Infant Stress in Mothers Whose Infants Are in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the effects of breathing exercises on maternal anxiety, well-being, and infant stress. Materials and Methods: The research was initiated in a hospital in eastern Turkey between November 2024 and November 2026, after obtaining ethical committee and institutional approvals. The study population consisted of mothers whose babies were hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of that hospital.The generally available G\*Power 3.1.9.7 for Windows software was used to calculate the sample size. Similar literature studies were referenced when determining the sample size of the research (Shamsdanesh et al., 2023). Furthermore, after the research is completed, a post-hoc power analysis will be performed on the main dependent variable, maternal anxiety level (MAL), to determine the power of the study (approximately 35 experimental, 35 control). The aim of the research is to ensure that the resulting sample size has sufficient statistical power to reveal the effect being examined. The research data is collected using a Demographic Information Form, prepared by the researcher through a literature review, the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Psychological Well-being Scale, and the Neonatal Stress Scale. Mothers perform this exercise three times a day for two days (days 1 and 2), under the supervision of a researcher. The four-square breathing exercise is a non-pharmacological pain reliever that has been shown to be beneficial in conditions other than pain. Each breathing exercise lasts 5-10 minutes. Mothers in the experimental group are given a questionnaire before the start of the study and after the exercise on days 1 and 2. Mothers in the control group are given only a questionnaire before the start of the study, at the end of day 1, and at the end of day 2. Mothers in the control group do not perform the four-square breathing exercise and receive routine hospital care. At the end of both days, mothers in the control group who wish to practice the breathing exercise are given the opportunity to do so.

Effect of Breathing Training on Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether two types of breathing training can improve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults. The main research questions are: * Do volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VIS) or diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE) improve GERD symptoms compared with usual care? * Do these breathing exercises reduce the symptoms of GERD? * Does volume-oriented incentive spirometry (VIS) produce greater improvement in GERD symptoms compared with DBE? * Do these exercises increase the strength of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)? Researchers will compare VIS training, DBE training, and usual care to determine whether breathing training can serve as a safe and effective non-pharmacological treatment option for GERD. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to VIS training, DBE training, or usual care * Perform their assigned breathing training (if in the intervention group) twice daily for 6 weeks * Attend study visits at baseline and at week 7 for questionnaires and esophageal function tests * Keep a diary of their symptoms and breathing practice

The Effects of Breathing Exercises Administered to Associate Degree Students on Test Anxiety and Academic Achievement

This study aims to examine the effects of breathing exercises administered to associate degree students on test anxiety and academic achievement. Primary Research Question: Do breathing exercises administered to associate degree students reduce test anxiety and improve academic achievement? Researchers will compare the effects of breathing exercises on test anxiety and academic achievement by using a control group (no breathing exercise intervention) and an intervention group. Participants: All students from a vocational school who consent to participate will be administered the Westside Test Anxiety Scale. Students with high anxiety scores will be assigned to the intervention group. The intervention group will receive breathing exercise training delivered by a certified Breathing Coach (the researcher). Breathing exercises will be conducted for 40 minutes per week, over a 6-week period. Students will be asked to maintain a breathing exercise log. Following the end-of-term examinations, data collection forms will be re-administered and results will be compared between pre- and post-intervention assessments.