本研究の目的は,生理的指標と心理的指標を用いて,妊娠・産褥期における描画によるリラクセーション効果を検討することである.妊婦および褥婦5名を対象に,パステルによる描画前後に, POMS (Profile of Mood States) および肩部の筋硬度の測定を実施し,描画後に感想を求めた.描画前後のPOMSの6尺度の各得点および筋硬度比較を行った.また,描画した内容についてのテーマ毎の説明・感想,および全テーマの描画終了後の感想を記録し,質的に分析を実施した.描画前後のPOMSは,全員が緊張- 不安などのネガティブな気分の5尺度(T-A・D・A-H・F・C)の得点が下がり,活気得点(V)は上昇した.筋硬度は描画途中で授乳をした褥婦1名を除き描画後に低下した.テーマ毎の描画内容に関する説明・感想として,「自分」のテーマでは,「風に色がついている感じ」で「やわらかく柔軟になりたい」,「ピンクとかオレンジ」よりも「緑が欲しい」気分などが聞かれた.描画後の感想では,「力が抜ける」,「リラックスできる」,「あったかい」,「発汗」などがあった.今回の調査対象者は,描画後に,生理的指標である筋硬度及び心理的指標であるPOMSの測定でリラクセーション傾向を示した.全体終了後の感想でもリラックス感が表出された.また,描画の説明・感想より,色のイメージと気持ちの一致や色で自分を表現させていることが認められ,気持ちの表現に色などのパステル素材の効果があり,妊婦と褥婦にとっては描画が自己表出の機会となっていることが考えられた.パステルによる描画は心身両面に変化を与え,出産前後の女性の心身のリラクセーションに効果があることが示唆された.The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of relaxation evoked by drawing during pregnancy and the puerperal period by using a physiological index and a psychological index. Muscular tension of the shoulder and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) were assessed before and after drawing with pastels in 5 pregnant or puerperal women. After drawing, subjects gave their impressions of the experience, and POMS scores and muscular hardness measurements before and after drawing were compared. The impressions of drawing were qualitatively analyzed. After drawing, scores on 5 POMS scales for negative feelings had decreased, while the vigor score had increased. Muscular hardness also decreased after drawing, except in one puerperal participant who had suckled while drawing. The impressions of drawing with the theme of“ Myself” included feelings of“ I used the color of the wind”,“ I want to become flexible gently”, and“ I want to use green from pink and the orange”. Impressions of the entire drawing experience included “The tension in my body was relieved”, “I became relaxed”, “It became warm”, and “I started sweating”. After drawing, muscular hardness measurements and POMS scores indicated a tendency toward relaxation. The participants then matched the colors in images to feelings and expressed this connection with colors from their impressions of the drawing experience. The pastel material was effective for the expression of feelings. Drawing provided an opportunity for self-expression in the pregnant and puerperal women. The results suggest that drawing with pastels elicits a change in mind and body that can effectively help women to relax before and after birth