The Effect of Beck's Cognitive Therapy On Anxiety and Fear of Childbirth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background & aim: The prevalence of anxiety and fear of childbirth (FOC) during pregnancy is high. This study aimed to measure the effect of group counseling with Beck′s cognitive therapy on anxiety and FOC in primiparous women. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 68 primiparous women who referred to the health centers of Ardabil, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to the counseling and control groups. The intervention group participated in six, 60-minute weekly sessions of cognitive group counseling. All women completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the intervention and during the active phase of labor. A questionnaire for the measurement of fear of childbirth (W-DEQ version A) was completed before the intervention, at the 36th week, and also two hours after delivery (W-DEQ version B). Mackey Childbirth Satisfaction Rating (MCSR) and childbirth experience questionnaire were completed 12 to 24 hours after delivery. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, ANCOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean scores of state (P=0.842) and trait (P=0.859) anxiety during labor, FOC after the intervention (P=0.566), childbirth experience (P=0.400), and childbirth satisfaction (P=0.828). Also, there was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of vaginal delivery between the two groups (P=0.856). Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that Beck′s group cognitive therapy was not effective in reduction of anxiety and FOC. Therefore, it is recommended to do more research in this regard in the future.