The effect of music on nonstress test and pregnant women's satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to determine the effect of music on nonstress testing and pregnant women's satisfaction. METHODS: The research, which was designed as a randomized controlled experimental study, was conducted between September 2021 and September 2022 at a training and research university hospital in the north of Turkey. The population of the research consisted of pregnant women who were requested to take a nonstress test, and the sample consisted of 111 pregnant women (music group: 56 and control group: 55). The pregnant women in the music group listened to classical music during the nonstress test, while no intervention was applied to those in the control group. Data were collected with a Descriptive Information Form, a Nonstress Test Form, and the Visual Analog Scale to evaluate satisfaction. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test statistics were used for the statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: The mean basal fetal heart rate and count of fetal movements, the presence of acceleration, and the nonstress test results of the pregnant women in the music group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Besides, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of mean satisfaction scores (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Listening to music during nonstress tests increases pregnant women's reactive nonstress test rates and satisfaction.