Comparison the effect of Swedish massage and interferential electrical stimulation on labor pain and childbirth experience in primiparous women: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of Swedish massage (SM) and interferential electrical stimulation (IES) on labor pain, childbirth experience, satisfaction, duration of active phase, and side effects in primiparous women.
Results Summary
Swedish massage significantly reduced labor pain, improved childbirth experience and satisfaction, and shortened the active phase of labor compared to routine care, with no serious side effects reported.
Population
Primiparous women in labor.
Effective Dosage
Two massage techniques (effleurage and petrissage) applied at cervical dilatation of 4 and 8-10 cm.
Duration
Administered during labor (specific duration not detailed).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swedish massage (SM) | decrease | mean pain | primiparous women | adjusted mean difference (AMD) - 0.86; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 1.60 to - 0.11 | significantly lower | #1 |
interferential electrical stimulation (IES) | decrease | mean pain | primiparous women | adjusted mean difference (AMD) - 0.95; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 1.70 to - 0.21 | significantly lower | #2 |
Swedish massage (SM) | increase | mean score of childbirth experience | primiparous women | MD 5.63; 95% CI 2.15-9.11 | significantly higher | #3 |
interferential electrical stimulation (IES) | increase | mean score of childbirth experience | primiparous women | MD 3.66; 95% CI 0.18-7.14 | significantly higher | #4 |
Swedish massage (SM) | increase | mean childbirth satisfaction | primiparous women | p = 0.003 | significantly higher | #5 |
interferential electrical stimulation (IES) | increase | mean childbirth satisfaction | primiparous women | p = 0.046 | significantly higher | #6 |
Swedish massage (SM) | decrease | duration of the active phase of labor | primiparous women | p < 0.001 | significantly lower | #7 |
interferential electrical stimulation (IES) | decrease | duration of the active phase of labor | primiparous women | p < 0.001 | significantly lower | #8 |
Swedish massage (SM) | no change | side effects | primiparous women | - | No serious side effects were occurred | #9 |
interferential electrical stimulation (IES) | no change | side effects | primiparous women | - | No serious side effects were occurred | #10 |
BACKGROUND: Since mothers are more inclined toward non-pharmacological labor pain management methods, this study aimed to compare the effect of interferential electrical stimulation (IES) and Swedish massage (SM) on labor pain and childbirth experience (primary outcomes) and childbirth satisfaction, duration of active phase and side effects (secondary outcomes) in primiparous women. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 primiparous women. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups through the block randomization method. The SM group received two massage techniques of effleurage and petrissage, on T10-L1 and S2-S4 at cervical dilatation of 4 and 8-10 cm. The IES group received electrical stimulation in a similar way to SM group, with a base frequency of 4000 Hz and a pulse frequency of 80-120 Hz by a physiotherapist. Control group received only routine care. RESULTS: The mean pain was significantly lower in the SM group (adjusted mean difference (AMD) - 0.86; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 1.60 to - 0.11) and the IES group (AMD - 0.95; 95% CI - 1.70 to - 0.21) compared to the control group. The mean score of childbirth experience was significantly higher in the SM (MD 5.63; 95% CI 2.15-9.11) and IES (MD 3.66; 95% CI 0.18-7.14) group compared to the control group. The mean childbirth satisfaction in the SM (p = 0.003) and IES (p = 0.046) groups was significantly higher than the control group; and duration of the active phase of labor was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the control group. No serious side effects were occurred in none of the groups. CONCLUSION: SM and IES are safe methods that can significantly reduce pain and duration of active phase and improve the experience and satisfaction of childbirth.