Peymaneh Shokrollahi; Farzaneh Farahi
Abstract
Background: Reducing labor pain is known to be a challenging topic in modern midwifery. To reduce this pain, complementary medicine methods have attracted a great deal of attention. The present study aimed to compare the effect of reflexology of sole with non-aromatic oil (Olive) and aromatic oil (Lavender) ...
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Background: Reducing labor pain is known to be a challenging topic in modern midwifery. To reduce this pain, complementary medicine methods have attracted a great deal of attention. The present study aimed to compare the effect of reflexology of sole with non-aromatic oil (Olive) and aromatic oil (Lavender) on reducing labor pain and anxiety.Methods: This multi-arm consecutive randomized controlled trial study of reflexology with non-aromatic oil and aromatic oil was carried out in 2020 on 99 primigravid mothers. They were divided into one control and two intervention groups, selected through random allocation. The data related to the mothers’ pain and anxiety were collected via the Pain Visual Scale and Spielberger three times, once before and twice after the intervention at 4-5 and 7-8 cm dilation. This study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the code of IRCT20200810048357N1. The demographic characteristics, labor duration, and APGAR score were also recorded. Through the use of the SPSS version 16, parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, including paired and independent t-test, x² and ANCOVA, were utilized for analyzing the data.Results: In the 99 participants with an average age of 25.98±5.80, there were no significant differences in terms of age (P=0.699), education level (P=0.504), or occupation (P=0.140). Additionally, no significant difference was seen in the duration of labor (P=0.194) and the APGAR score (P=0.066). According to the intergroup analysis of pain results in both stages of 4-5 cm and 7 -8 cm after the intervention, the aromatic oil group had a significant difference in terms of pain reduction with the other two groups (P˂0.001, P=0.007, respectively). Although there was no significant statistical difference in the intergroup analysis, the increase in the rate of anxiety was significant in control group in different stages (P=0.002) while this factor remained fixed in the intervention groups.Conclusions: The reflexology with aromatic oil was found to be more effective than that with non-aromatic oil. Furthermore, the pain rate at the time of labor reduced in the intervention groups compared to that in the control group.
Marzieh Akbarzadeh; Zahra Moradi; Azam Jowkar; Najaf Zare; Mohammad Javad Hadianfard
Abstract
Background: Pain, a common phenomenon, is an inevitable part of childbirth. A number of pressure points exist that reduce labor pain in the body.
Objectives: This study aims to compare mono- and bi-stage acupressure at the GB-21 point on the severity of labor pain and the delivery outcome.
Patients ...
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Background: Pain, a common phenomenon, is an inevitable part of childbirth. A number of pressure points exist that reduce labor pain in the body.
Objectives: This study aims to compare mono- and bi-stage acupressure at the GB-21 point on the severity of labor pain and the delivery outcome.
Patients and Methods: This quasi-experimental uni-blind study enrolled 150 full-term pregnant women who were experiencing labor pains. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: a) mono-stage acupressure applied at 3-4 cm cervical dilatation (n = 50), b) bi-stage acupressure applied at 3-4 cm and 7-8 cm dilatation (n = 50), and c) control group (n = 50). Acupressure intervention at the GB-21 point was carried out for a period of 20 minutes. The pain severity was evaluated before, immediately, and at 30 and 60 minutes after intervention by a visual analog scale.
Results: The pain severity after intervention in the 3-4 cm dilatation mono-stage intervention group was less than the control group (P < 0.001). However there was no difference between the mono- and bi-stage intervention groups (P > 0.05). In the 7-8 cm dilatation group, the pain severity was reduced only in the bi-stage in contrast with mono stage intervention groups (P < 0.001). The duration of the second stage and rate of cesarean section was less in the intervention groups (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: Exerting pressure at the GB-21 point is effective in reducing pain, duration of labor and the rate of cesarean sections. Pain can be reduced in the mother by increasing the Frequency interference of intervention (One vs. two stages). Because this method is both inexpensive and reliable, we recommend its use to the medical team.