OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the fetal movement response elicited by vibroacoustic stimulation depends upon the vibrator and the method used to judge movement. METHODS: Two methods of obtaining elicited fetal movement responses--maternal perceptions and ultrasound scan observations--were compared using two different vibroacoustic stimuli in 16 low-risk term pregnancies. RESULTS: Analyses of response over trials showed that the percentage of agreement between ultrasound scan observations and maternal perceptions varied (52-96%) across stimuli. The mothers perceived 64% less movement when vibrator 1 was used and 14% less movement response with vibrator 2. Analyses of average movement scores across subjects showed similar results. Vibrator 1 elicited significantly fewer maternal perceptions of fetal movement compared with ultrasound scan observation (an average of 0.8/3 compared with 2.3/3 movements per subject, respectively). For vibrator 2, there were no differences in average movement scores obtained by maternal perception and ultrasound scan observation (an average of 2.4/3 versus 2.8/3, respectively). CONCLUSION: The stimulus used in vibroacoustic stimulation testing influences the reliability of maternal movement perceptions as compared with ultrasound scan observations.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the fetal movement response elicited by vibroacoustic stimulation depends upon the vibrator and the method used to judge movement. METHODS: Two methods of obtaining elicited fetal movement responses--maternal perceptions and ultrasound scan observations--were compared using two different vibroacoustic stimuli in 16 low-risk term pregnancies. RESULTS: Analyses of response over trials showed that the percentage of agreement between ultrasound scan observations and maternal perceptions varied (52-96%) across stimuli. The mothers perceived 64% less movement when vibrator 1 was used and 14% less movement response with vibrator 2. Analyses of average movement scores across subjects showed similar results. Vibrator 1 elicited significantly fewer maternal perceptions of fetal movement compared with ultrasound scan observation (an average of 0.8/3 compared with 2.3/3 movements per subject, respectively). For vibrator 2, there were no differences in average movement scores obtained by maternal perception and ultrasound scan observation (an average of 2.4/3 versus 2.8/3, respectively). CONCLUSION: The stimulus used in vibroacoustic stimulation testing influences the reliability of maternal movement perceptions as compared with ultrasound scan observations.
Authors: Gabriella A Ferrari; Ylenia Nicolini; Elisa Demuru; Cecilia Tosato; Merhi Hussain; Elena Scesa; Luisa Romei; Maria Boerci; Emanuela Iappini; Guido Dalla Rosa Prati; Elisabetta Palagi; Pier F Ferrari Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2016-03-16