What the RELAX sessions involve
RELAX is short for ‘REducing Levels of AnXiety’ in pregnancy and after birth.
- 40% of pregnant women and new mothers experience anxiety.
- The RELAX study is testing a new online training for pregnant women who worry.
- The training aims to reduce worry and anxiety before and after birth.
- We already know that this type of training reduces worry and anxiety in non-pregnant people.
- The study will find out whether the RELAX training helps to reduce anxiety in pregnant women and new mothers.
What the RELAX sessions involve
- 12 online sessions, to be completed over four weeks.
- Each session takes about 20 minutes.
- Sessions can be completed on a tablet, laptop, or computer.
- Sessions involve listening to short scenarios, imagining how the scenario may turn out and answering some questions.
- You will be able to view your progress as you go along.
Stage 1:
Women who are 16-28 weeks pregnant are invited to complete our screening questionnaire.
We use the term ‘women’ throughout. We acknowledge that not all people who are pregnant and give birth identify as women. Our study is open to anyone who is currently pregnant and eligible, however they choose to identify.
Those who are eligible for the study after the screening questionnaire will be invited to have a call with us to hear more about the study and to see if they might benefit from the training (please read the Participant Information Sheet for more information).
Stage 2:
Women who might benefit will be invited to join the study:
- Half of the women in the study will have their usual maternity care plus the RELAX sessions and half will continue with their usual care without the RELAX sessions.
- This will allow us to compare the two groups and work out if the RELAX training helps to reduce worry and anxiety.
- All women in the study will complete assessments (sets of questionnaires) at four different timepoints, including before and after birth.
- The RELAX team is a group of researchers based at King’s College London, including midwives and psychologists.
- We have a public advisory group of mothers and pregnant women.
- We all want to help pregnant women and new mothers experience less anxiety.
- Everyone who completes the screening questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw, with a chance to win a £50 online shopping voucher.
- If you are then invited to take part in the study, as a thank you, you will be given a £25 online shopping voucher for each completed assessment (£100 in total).
- Watch our introductory video above
- If you are 16-28 weeks pregnant and worry a lot, please complete our screening questionnaire by registering above.
- If you have any other questions about the study, please contact us via the following link: Contact Us or email relaxstudy@kcl.ac.uk.
