Prenatal Haptonomy-Based Support

Summary

This study is a three-arm randomized controlled trial to be conducted among pregnant women attending the antenatal outpatient clinic of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital who meet the inclusion criteria. Data will be collected between April 1, 2026, and April 30, 2027.

Eligible participants will be informed about the study objectives, procedures, potential benefits and risks, and voluntary participation principles. Written informed consent will be obtained prior to enrollment. Participant confidentiality will be ensured in accordance with data protection regulations, and unique identification codes will be assigned.

At baseline (T0), participants will complete the Personal Information Form, Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI), and Spousal Support Scale (SSS). Following baseline assessment, participants will be randomly allocated into one of three groups:

Partner-supported haptonomy group Mother-supported haptonomy group Midwife-supported haptonomy group The haptonomy-based intervention will be delivered once weekly for three consecutive weeks in a hospital-based setting. Each session will last approximately 30 minutes and will follow a standardized protocol including structured affective touch, body awareness facilitation, emotional observation, and structured session closure. All sessions will be conducted by a research assistant who completed the Prenatal Haptonomy Instructor Training (January 29-31, 2026). The principal investigator will supervise and monitor the scientific integrity of the study.

Outcome assessments will be conducted at three time points:

T0 (Baseline): Prior to intervention T1 (Post-session 1): 24-48 hours after the first haptonomy session T2 (Post-intervention): 24-48 hours after the third haptonomy session The Prenatal Attachment Inventory and Spousal Support Scale will be re-administered at T1 and T2. Data completeness will be checked after each assessment.

Conditions

• Maternal-Fetal Attachment
• Perceived Partner Support
• Haptonomy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Prenatal Haptonomy-Based Support

A structured haptonomy-based prenatal support intervention delivered once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is conducted with the participation of the pregnant woman's partner. The protocol includes affective touch facilitated by the partner, body awareness facilitation, emotional observation, and structured session closure. The intervention is conducted in a hospital setting.

BEHAVIORAL

Mother-Supported Haptonomy Group

A structured haptonomy-based prenatal support intervention delivered once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is conducted with the participation of the pregnant woman's mother. The protocol includes affective touch facilitated by the mother, body awareness facilitation, emotional observation, and structured session closure. The intervention is conducted in a hospital setting.

BEHAVIORAL

Midwife-Supported Haptonomy Group

A structured haptonomy-based prenatal support intervention delivered once weekly for three consecutive weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes and is conducted by a trained midwife. The protocol includes affective touch provided by the midwife, body awareness facilitation, emotional observation, and structured session closure. The intervention is conducted in a hospital setting.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hilal Özbek

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hilal Ozbek · Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-01

Primary Completion

2027-04-30

Completion

2027-04-30