author(s)
Smitha Jose

abstract
A quasi experimental study was conducted to assess the effect of relaxation therapy on the level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Objectives of the study were to assess the pre and post interventional level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers with PIH, compare the pre and post interventional level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers in experimental and comparison group, compare the post interventional level of stress and blood pressure among mothers with PIH in experimental and comparison group, to find association between pre interventional level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers with PIH with their selected demographic variables and correlate the level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers with PIH. The research design used was quantitative approach with quasi experimental non-equivalent comparison group pretest-posttest design. The population under study was antenatal mothers with PIH admitted in hospital. 40 samples were selected, 20 in experimental group and 20 in comparison group by using purposive sampling technique. Tool includes a structured questionnaire to collect the demographic and clinical data, a modified rating scale to assess stress level and a calibrated sphygmomanometer to measure the blood pressure level. Intervention includes relaxation therapy which consists of walking for 15 minutes, rest in left lateral position for 15 minutes and breathing exercises for 15 minutes. The study findings revealed that post interventional level of stress and blood pressure was significantly lower than the pre interventional level of stress and blood pressure of antenatal mothers in experimental group, post interventional level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers in experimental group was significantly lower than the post interventional level of stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers in comparison group, there was no significant association of pre interventional level of stress and blood pressure with demographic variables and there is no significant correlation between the level of stress and blood pressure. The study concluded that the intervention, relaxation therapy was effective in reducing the stress and blood pressure among antenatal mothers with pregnancy induced hypertension.