The effects of the Tomatis Method on first-time pregnant women

Abstract

The cun-ent study evaluated the Tornatis Method (TM) of sensori-neural integration training, on first-time pregnant, man-ied women. A two-group, pre-post treatment design was used. A non-randomized sample of low risk married women in trimester three were recrnited and allocated to an experimental (n= L2) and a non-intervention control group (n=8) based on their willingness to participate in the TM or not. The experimental group completed 60 half-hour sessions of listening to Mozart music and Gregorian chants through the Electronic Ear (EE), complemented by consultations. Three unanticipated non-completers, one resulting from mid-program birth and two from post-program births preceding post-assessment, reduced the experimental group to nine. Pre-program group equivalence was confirmed in both groups. Post-program results showed practically significant reductions of anxiety, neuroticism and tension, and practically significantly increased satisfaction with life, motherliness and agreeableness in the experimental group. Tension and fatigue increased in the control group. Findings replicated and extended Klopfenstein's ( 1994) study, by demonstrating significant symptom reduction and enhanced psychological well-being in pregnant women undergoing the TM.