Non-stress testing (NST) is one of the most commonly used methods to assess fetal health in the prenatal period because it is an easily interpreted, non-invasive, painless, and short-term diagnostic method. Although NST is a non-invasive and painless diagnostic method, pregnant women may feel anxiety during the procedure.

It is supported by studies that listening to music causes relaxation and reducing anxiety. Therefore, the use of music as a non-pharmacological practice will increase the quality of care of individuals. There are many studies suggesting that music reduces anxiety in low-risk pregnancies during NST application. Different instruments such as ney, rebab, kopuz, dombra are used in Turkish music. In particular, ney has come to the fore in music therapy. The ney, which has different types in history, is an instrument that is closest to the human voice. In a compilation about the music used in music therapy in Turkey, it was stated that there are many social and health studies made with the sound of ney. Determining the effect of music on NST and anxiety in high-risk pregnant women will contribute to the literature.

Non-stress testing (NST) is one of the most commonly used methods to assess fetal health in the prenatal period because it is an easily interpreted, non-invasive, painless, and short-term diagnostic method. Although NST is a non-invasive and painless diagnostic method, pregnant women may feel anxiety during the procedure.

It is supported by studies that listening to music causes relaxation and reducing anxiety. Therefore, the use of music as a non-pharmacological practice will increase the quality of care of individuals. There are many studies suggesting that music reduces anxiety in low-risk pregnancies during NST application. Different instruments such as ney, rebab, kopuz, dombra are used in Turkish music. In particular, ney has come to the fore in music therapy. The ney, which has different types in history, is an instrument that is closest to the human voice. In a compilation about the music used in music therapy in Turkey, it was stated that there are many social and health studies made with the sound of ney. Determining the effect of music on NST and anxiety in high-risk pregnant women will contribute to the literature.

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of music therapy on NST and anxiety levels in high-risk pregnant women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 18 years old
• Those diagnosed with high-risk pregnancy by a physician (pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, premature rupture of membranes, pregnancy large or small for gestational age, intrauterine growth retardation, pain/contraction, oligohydramnios, premature birth threat, maternal age 35 age and above, maternal body mass index over 30 (obesity))
• Speaking and understanding Turkish
• Pregnant women with a single fetus
• 32-41 weeks of pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

• having twin pregnancy
• with heart disease,
• fetal distress,
• having a fetus with anomaly,
• hereditary anemia,
• pregnant women with sexually transmitted diseases

Participants are pregnant women.

In order to ensure randomization in the study, a random numbers table was created by dividing them into two groups based on the number determined on the site https://www.randomizer.org/. In order to prevent bias, in order to divide the women into groups according to the randomization list, the groups were written and sealed in two separate opaque envelopes as intervention (the ney sound is played during the NST procedure) and control (the routine NST procedure was applied). Double blinding was done on request.