Twice-weekly telemedicine home ultrasound reduces anxiety in pregnant patients with prior late pregnancy loss.
This quasi-randomized trial involved 50 participants, with 25 per group, who had a history of late pregnancy loss. The intervention consisted of twice-weekly telemedicine home ultrasound sessions conducted in a home setting, compared to standard high-risk care. Follow-up lasted 4.6 months. Regression analyses confirmed independent associations between home ultrasound use, reduced anxiety, and improved attachment.
The primary outcome measured STAI-S scores at the final visit, with secondary outcomes including maternal anxiety at mid-pregnancy and final visit, antenatal attachment at the final visit, attachment scores during follow-up, and emergency department visits. At mid-pregnancy, the intervention group had significantly lower STAI-S scores (46.7 ± 9.3 vs. 52.0 ± 9.0; p = 0.023). At the final visit, STAI-S scores remained significantly lower in the intervention group (43.6 ± 11.8 vs. 51.5 ± 11.5; p = 0.004).
Regarding attachment, MAAS-2 scores at the final visit were higher in the intervention group (79.5 ± 6.2 vs. 75.0 ± 6.9; p = 0.022). Attachment scores during follow-up increased significantly in the intervention group (4.8 ± 7.3 vs. -0.36 ± 8.0; p = 0.023). Additionally, emergency department visits were fewer in the intervention group (3.1 ± 1.5 vs. 4.9 ± 3.3; p = 0.024). Safety data, including adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, and tolerability, were not reported. The study supports integrating this approach into standard prenatal management for this vulnerable population, though the quasi-randomized design limits causal inference.
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