Research by Dr Sarah Fogarty PhD: Evaluating the feasibility of massage as an adjunct approach to care for pregnant women who have experienced a stillbirth.
We are looking for women to participate in a clinical feasibility study.
Are you currently pregnant after experiencing a previous pregnancy loss after 20 weeks?
You are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by:
Dr Sarah Fogarty, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University,
Professor Phillipa Hay, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University,
Professor Alexander Heazell, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre in the School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester and;
Associate Professor Munk, Acting Chair School of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Indiana University.
This is a mixed-methods, single-arm, repeated-measures study evaluating the feasibility of massage as an adjunct approach to care for pregnant women who have experienced a stillbirth.
Research shows that women experiencing pregnancy after stillbirth experience anxiety, fear, and depression. There is limited evidence of adjunct emotional care approaches for women to utilise to help manage pregnancy after a stillbirth. Massage may assist women who are pregnant after a stillbirth via decreasing anxiety, worry and stress. The study aims to measure the feasibility of massage as an adjunct approach to care for pregnant women who have experienced a stillbirth.
What will you be asked to do?
You will be asked to attend between four and five massage appointments in a four-month period. Prior to your first appointment and after your last appointment you will complete questionnaires on worry (Cambridge Worry Score), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)), coping (Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory), self-efficacy (Strategies Used by People to Promote Health measure) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale).
What benefits will you, and/or the broader community, receive for participating?
Possible potential benefits include decreased pain, increased function, feeling supported, and mental health benefits, however, these are not guaranteed.
You are eligible to participate if:
Are currently pregnant and have experienced a previous pregnancy loss after 20 weeks
Are 18 years of age or greater
Between 13 and 30 weeks of pregnancy
Are able to attend one of the study pregnancy massage therapists’ clinics located within Australia
Able to complete four treatment appointments within a four month period
For the full details please read the Patient information sheet: Download the Patient Information Sheet here
If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements, you would like more information or you would like to participate, please click on the QR Code or contact:
Chief Investigator: Dr Sarah Fogarty PhD,
ph: 0405 078 914
This study has ethics approval from Western Sydney University Human Ethics Committee: H15261
Email: s.fogarty@westernsydney.edu.au or pregnancyafterstillbirth@gmail.com
