Postpartum DepressionNCT07354334
Effect of Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah (The Opening-Up of the Heart) After Cesarean Birth on Postpartum Outcomes
A study testing Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah in people with Postpartum Depression and Maternal-Fetal Relations, run by Selcuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of listening to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period after cesarean birth on women's spiritual well-being, depression levels, and maternal attachment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Postpartum Depression, Maternal-Fetal Relations, Spirituality
- What is being tested?
- Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 172 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being literate
- Able to speak and understand Turkish
- Aged 18 years or older
- Primiparous women
- Having undergone cesarean birth
- Gestational age at birth between 37 and 42 weeks
Show all 9Show fewer
- Identifying as Muslim
- Willing to participate voluntarily after providing written informed consent
- Women who have given birth within the last 48 hours and are hospitalized during the early postpartum period
Who cannot join
- Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Newborn admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
- Experiencing stillbirth
- Having a hearing impairment
- Criteria for Withdrawal From the Study
- Development of obstetric complications for any reason during the study
- Requesting to withdraw from the study during the data collection process
- Reporting feeling unwell or uncomfortable during the data collection process
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah (The Opening-Up of the Heart) in the Early Postpartum Period After Cesarean Birth on Women's Spiritual Well-Being, Depression, and Maternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of listening to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period after cesarean birth on women's spiritual well-being, depression levels, and maternal attachment. The postpartum period is a sensitive phase characterized by physical recovery, emotional changes, and adaptation to the maternal role, particularly following cesarean delivery. Spiritual and religious practices are commonly used as coping strategies in this period, especially in Muslim populations.
In this study, women who have undergone cesarean birth will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah in addition to receiving routine postpartum care, while the control group will receive routine postpartum care only. Outcomes related to spiritual well-being, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment will be assessed within the first 48 hours after birth. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and low-cost supportive care practices in the early postpartum period.
Read the detailed description
The postpartum period is a critical transition phase in which women experience significant physiological, psychological, and emotional changes. Women who give birth by cesarean section may face additional challenges such as postoperative pain, limited mobility, delayed recovery, and increased vulnerability to emotional distress. These factors may negatively affect spiritual well-being, increase the risk of postpartum depression, and interfere with the development of maternal attachment.
Spiritual care interventions have gained increasing attention as supportive approaches in maternal health, particularly in cultures where religious beliefs and practices play an important role in coping with stress and emotional difficulties. In Islamic tradition, listening to the recitation of the Qur'an is believed to promote inner peace, emotional comfort, and spiritual strength. Surah Al-Inshirah, which emphasizes relief after hardship and emotional ease, may be especially meaningful during the early postpartum period.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the postpartum wards of a tertiary hospital. The study population will consist of primiparous women aged 18 years and older who have undergone cesarean birth and meet the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group using a randomization procedure conducted by an independent healthcare professional to minimize allocation bias.
Women in the intervention group will receive routine postpartum care and will additionally listen to a standardized audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah during the first 48 hours after birth. The recitation will be delivered in a calm and comfortable environment at a safe sound level, with multiple listening sessions scheduled during the early postpartum period. Women in the control group will receive routine postpartum care only, without any additional audio or spiritual intervention.
Data will be collected using a personal information form and validated measurement tools, including the Spirituality Index of Well-Being, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and the Maternal Attachment Scale. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and repeated approximately 48 hours after birth to assess changes in outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups.
This study aims to provide scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate, low-cost, and non-invasive spiritual intervention to support women's psychological and emotional well-being after cesarean birth. The results may inform holistic and culturally sensitive postpartum care practices in maternal and newborn health services.
- Being tested
- Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Postpartum
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Listening to Surah Al-InshirahBehavioural
Participants will listen to a standardized audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah in a quiet and comfortable environment during the first 48 hours after cesarean birth, in addition to routine postpartum care.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Surah Al-Inshirah Listening Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will receive routine postpartum care and will additionally listen to an audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period following cesarean birth. Receives: Behavioral: Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah |
| Control | No intervention | Participants in this group will receive routine postpartum care only, without any additional audio or spiritual intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postpartum Depression Level
Postpartum depression will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a validated self-report questionnaire measuring depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depressive symptoms. The EPDS is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0-3). Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
Measured: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Secondary outcomes (2)
Spiritual Well-Being
Spiritual well-being will be measured using the Spirituality Index of Well-Being (SIWB), which assesses individuals' perceived spiritual quality of life and sense of meaning and peace. The SIWB assesses perceived spiritual quality of life and sense of meaning and peace. The scale contains 12 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater spiritual well-being.
Measured: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Maternal Attachment
Maternal attachment will be evaluated using the Maternal Attachment Scale, which measures the emotional bond between mother and infant. The Maternal Attachment Scale evaluates the emotional bond between mother and infant. The scale consists of 18 items scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = almost never, 4 = almost always). Total scores range from 18 to 72, with higher scores indicating stronger maternal attachment.
Measured: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2026
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postpartum DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Selcuk UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving routine postpartum care plus listening to Surah Al-Inshirah or a control group receiving routine postpartum care only.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 172 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Selcuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yasemin ERKAL AKSOY, Selcuk University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07354334
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 22051998
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah (The Opening-Up of the Heart) in the Early Postpartum Period After Cesarean Birth on Women's Spiritual Well-Being, Depression, and Maternal Attachment: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07354334
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 22051998
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 172 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Selcuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of listening to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period after cesarean birth on women's spiritual well-being, depression levels, and maternal attachment. The postpartum period is a sensitive phase characterized by physical recovery, emotional changes, and adaptation to the maternal role, particularly following cesarean delivery. Spiritual and religious practices are commonly used as coping strategies in this period, especially in Muslim populations.
In this study, women who have undergone cesarean birth will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah in addition to receiving routine postpartum care, while the control group will receive routine postpartum care only. Outcomes related to spiritual well-being, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment will be assessed within the first 48 hours after birth. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and low-cost supportive care practices in the early postpartum period.
Detailed description
The postpartum period is a critical transition phase in which women experience significant physiological, psychological, and emotional changes. Women who give birth by cesarean section may face additional challenges such as postoperative pain, limited mobility, delayed recovery, and increased vulnerability to emotional distress. These factors may negatively affect spiritual well-being, increase the risk of postpartum depression, and interfere with the development of maternal attachment.
Spiritual care interventions have gained increasing attention as supportive approaches in maternal health, particularly in cultures where religious beliefs and practices play an important role in coping with stress and emotional difficulties. In Islamic tradition, listening to the recitation of the Qur'an is believed to promote inner peace, emotional comfort, and spiritual strength. Surah Al-Inshirah, which emphasizes relief after hardship and emotional ease, may be especially meaningful during the early postpartum period.
This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the postpartum wards of a tertiary hospital. The study population will consist of primiparous women aged 18 years and older who have undergone cesarean birth and meet the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group using a randomization procedure conducted by an independent healthcare professional to minimize allocation bias.
Women in the intervention group will receive routine postpartum care and will additionally listen to a standardized audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah during the first 48 hours after birth. The recitation will be delivered in a calm and comfortable environment at a safe sound level, with multiple listening sessions scheduled during the early postpartum period. Women in the control group will receive routine postpartum care only, without any additional audio or spiritual intervention.
Data will be collected using a personal information form and validated measurement tools, including the Spirituality Index of Well-Being, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and the Maternal Attachment Scale. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and repeated approximately 48 hours after birth to assess changes in outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups.
This study aims to provide scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate, low-cost, and non-invasive spiritual intervention to support women's psychological and emotional well-being after cesarean birth. The results may inform holistic and culturally sensitive postpartum care practices in maternal and newborn health services.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving routine postpartum care plus listening to Surah Al-Inshirah or a control group receiving routine postpartum care only.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Surah Al-Inshirah Listening Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Listening to Surah Al-InshirahParticipants in this group will receive routine postpartum care and will additionally listen to an audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period following cesarean birth. |
| Control | No intervention | –Participants in this group will receive routine postpartum care only, without any additional audio or spiritual intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Being literate
- Able to speak and understand Turkish
- Aged 18 years or older
- Primiparous women
- Having undergone cesarean birth
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- Newborn admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
- Experiencing stillbirth
- Having a hearing impairment
- Criteria for Withdrawal From the Study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Listening to Surah Al-InshirahParticipants will listen to a standardized audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah in a quiet and comfortable environment during the first 48 hours after cesarean birth, in addition to routine postpartum care. | Behavioural | Experimental: Surah Al-Inshirah Listening Group |
Primary outcome
Postpartum Depression Level
Time frame: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Postpartum depression will be assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a validated self-report questionnaire measuring depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depressive symptoms. The EPDS is a validated 10-item self-report questionnaire assessing depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0-3). Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
2 secondary outcomes
Spiritual Well-Being
Time frame: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Maternal Attachment
Time frame: Within the first 48 hours postpartum
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah in people with Postpartum Depression and Maternal-Fetal Relations, run by Selcuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Postpartum Depression Level (time frame: Within the first 48 hours postpartum). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Mar 2026.