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.
Farideh Vaziri; Mina Taheri; Zohreh Tavana
Abstract
Background: Repeated maintenance intramuscular injections of magnesium sulfate can be painful experiences. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of lavender oil on intramuscular injection pain of magnesium sulfate.
Methods: This randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was performed ...
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Background: Repeated maintenance intramuscular injections of magnesium sulfate can be painful experiences. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of lavender oil on intramuscular injection pain of magnesium sulfate.
Methods: This randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was performed on 40 females undergoing postpartum care. The females were assigned to the lavender oil and placebo groups with 20 samples in each group. They received lavender oil inhalation or placebo 10 to 15 minutes before and after injections. The pain during and after the intramuscular injection was assessed using the visual analog scale and verbal reports. In addition, the pain during an intramuscular injection without any intervention was measured and considered as baseline pain.
Results: The intensity of pain at baseline had a mean value of 68 ± 23.78, with a median value of 72, and mode of 100. Also, 55% of the females described their pain verbally as severe and very severe. Upon interventions, the 2 groups had no statistically significant differences in relation to the intensity of pain during and after the intramuscular injection (t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively). According to the paired-wise analysis, the intensity of pain during the intramuscular injection upon the intervention was lower than baseline in the lavender essential oil group (P = 0.01). Nevertheless, Fisher’s exact test showed that the female’s satisfaction was higher in the lavender essential oil group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.01).
Conclusions: This study supports the use of aromatherapy with the aim to improve patient well-being in painful medical procedures.