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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY This influence to take up from the present scenario "A Quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of slow breathing exercise (SBE) versus progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique to reduce physiological and psychological stress among ANC mothers attending ANC clinics and hospitals at Durg, district (c.g.). was undertaken by Mrs. Manisha Mathew in partial fulfilment of the requirement for M.Sc. Nursing degree at Government College of Nursing, Durg (C.G.) affiliated to Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Memorial Health Sciences and Ayush University of Chhattisgarh, Raipur (C.G.) during the year 2023-2025. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. To assess the effectiveness of (SBE) slow breathing exercise technique in reducing physiological and psychological stress among ANC mothers. 2. To assess the effectiveness of (PMR) progressive muscle relaxation technique in reducing physiological and psychological stress among ANC mothers. 3. To compare the effectiveness of (SBE) slow breathing exercise (exp I) and (PMR) progressive muscle relaxation (exp II) technique in reducing stress among ANC mothers. 4. To find the association on effect of stress among ANC mothers with their sociodemographic variables. METHODS This study was conducted in months of April; Formal permission was brought and obtained. A total of 120 patients among ANC mothers in selectedDistrict hospital, Durg (C.G.). The purpose of the study was explained among ANC mothers informed consent was obtained, confidentiality of information was assured. Data was collected using self-structured stress measuring tool (checklist) to assess the effectiveness of slow breathing exercise (SBE) versus progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique to reduce physiological and psychological stress among ANC mothers. FINDINGS 1. Socio-demographic Characteristics o Majority of ANC mothers were aged between 25-28 years, representing the typical reproductive age group. o 50.83% of the mothers and 45.83% of their husbands had completed high school education. o Most of the participants (90.83%) were housewives, and nearly half of their husbands (44.16%) were labourers. o 47.5% of the families had a monthly income below INR10,000, and 62.5% belonged to joint families. o All ANC mothers were in the third trimester of pregnancy, and most (49.17%) had one child. o 78.33% of participants were from urban areas. 2.Assessment of Physiological and Psychological Stress o The mean pre-test stress score among ANC mothers was 0.43, and the mean post-test score was 0.28. o The mean difference (0.16) indicates a noticeable reduction in overall stress after the intervention. o Both physiological and psychological stress levels reduced post-intervention, showing the effectiveness of relaxation techniques. 3. Effectiveness of SBE and PMR Techniques o In the SBE group, the mean stress score reduced from 0.45 (pre-test) to 0.28 (post-test) with a t-value = 5.70 (p < 0.001). o In the PMR group, the mean stress score reduced from 0.43 (pre-test) to 0.22 (post-test) with a t-value = 7.70 (p < 0.001). o Comparison between groups using unpaired t-test (t = 2.10, p < 0.05) revealed that the PMR technique was slightly more effective than SBE in reducing stress levels among ANC mothers. 4. Association Between Stress Reduction and Socio-Demographic Variables o There was no significant association found between post-test stress levels and variables such as age, education, occupation, type of family, or income. o This indicates that stress reduction was primarily influenced by the interventions (SBE and PMR) rather than by demographic factors. CONCLUSION This chapter deals with the summary of the study undertaken, conclusion draw from the finding's implication of the study in various areas of nursing, limitation of the study in various area of nursing and recommendation for the future research.