Background: Pain is a common experience for women during labor. Therefore, pain relief care for mothers during labor is very important. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of massage therapy on labor pain reduction in primiparous women. Materials and Methods: In this meta-analysis, the databases of Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Iranmedex, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Magiran were searched for published articles in English and Persian language up to January 2016. Among the studies, with regard to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected. Data were analyzed by using Stata software version 11, and standard mean difference (SMD) of effects of massage therapy was calculated. The heterogeneity among studies was evaluated by the Chi-square based Q-test and I2statistics. Results: The results of Chi-square based on Q-test and I2statistics showed heterogeneity among studies in the latent phase (Q = 63.52, P value < 0.001 and I2 = 87.4%), active phase (Q = 26.42, P value < 0.001, and I2 = 77.3%), and transitional phase (Q = 104.84, P value <0.001, and I2 = 95.2%). Results showed that massage therapy reduces labor pain in the latent phase (SMD = −1.23, 95% CI: −1.73 to −0.74), active phase (SMD = −1.59, 95% CI: −2.06 to −1.12), and transitional phase (SMD = −1.90, 95% CI: −3.09 to −0.71). Conclusions: This study provides valid evidence for the effect of massage therapy in Iran for labor pain relief. Therefore, the use of massage therapy can be recommended in the primiparous women.

Effect of massage therapy on labor pain reduction in primiparous women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials in Iran

Context: Labor is among the most painful events in females’ lives. Labor pain (LP) is alleviated using both pharmacological and non - pharmacological methods. The current study aimed at reviewing clinical trials in Iran as well as other countries on the effects of acupressure, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on LP. Evidence Acquisition: In the current review study, online databases such as SID, Iranmedex, Magiran, IranDoc, Cochrane library, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched to retrieve studies published before 2017 in Persian or English language. Search keywords were labor pain, acupressure, aromatherapy, and massage as well as their Persian equivalents. Retrieved clinical trials were appraised using the Jadad checklist. Data were analyzed qualitatively. Results: In total, 46 clinical trials were enrolled. Most studies reported the positive effects of acupressure, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on labor pain. The most frequently used therapies were aromatherapy with lavender essential oil and acupressure on the LI4 and SP6 points. Conclusions: Acupressure, aromatherapy, and massage therapy were effective in alleviating labor pain. These techniques are mostly safe without serious side effects for parturient females and their babies. Therefore, they can be used to alleviate labor pain.

Effects of Complementary Therapies on Labor Pain: A Literature Review

کچ هدي  شيپ هنيمز  و  فده :  درد  ينامياز  نيرتديدش زا يکي  اهدرد  هب  رامش  م ي دور  ءزج و غ ي لباقر بانتجا  نامياز م ي دشاب . اب  هجوت  هب  تسايس  ج يناه  ينبم  رب  شهاک  نيرازس  يباختنا  و  موزل  نتفاي  شور اه ي  رثؤم  نميا و  رد  شهاک  درد  نامياز  هعلاطم  رضاح  فدهاب  يبايزرا  و  عمج دنب ي  جياتن  ييامزآراک اه ي  ينيلاب  ماجنا هدش  د ر  دروم  ثأت ي ر  عاونا شور اه ي  نيکست  درد  نامياز  هب  شور  رورم  کيتامتسيس  ماجنا  دش .  :راک شور لاطم نيا رد زا طبترم تاعلاطم يمامت يرورم هع اپ ي هاگ اه ي  تبث زکرم يتاعلاطا ييامزآراک اه ,ينيلاب ي Magiran , Medlib ,

Methods of labor pain relief in iran: a review

Labor pain management is one of the main goals of maternity care. Ice application or cooling has been claimed to be as an effective, safe and non-invasive adjuvant mean for providing pain relief during the first stage of labor. Aim of the study: To evaluate effect of ice pack application on pain intensity during active phase of the first stage of labor among primiparaous. Research design: None-randomized-controlled clinical trial research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at labor and delivery unit of El Shatby Maternity University Hospital affiliated to Alexandria University. Subjects: Convenience sample of 80 pregnant women attending the previously mentioned setting were recruited in the study. They were equally divided into ice application & control groups. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection, namely: Tool (I): Pregnant women basic data structured interview schedule, Tool II: Visual Analogue pain intensity scale (VAS) & Tool III: Present Behavioral Intensity Scale (PBIS) Tool IV: Satisfaction visual analogue scale (SVAS). A high statistically significant difference was observed between the study & control groups in relation to their pain intensity using VAS before and after the intervention ( P ≤ .000). In addition, another high statistically significant difference was detected between the study group & control groups in relation to their behavior of labor pain ( P = .000) before & after 30 as well as 60 min of intervention. Based on the study findings, it could be concluded that the application of ice pack application during active phase of first stage of labor appeared to have a remarkable effect on labor pain intensity. In service training programs for nurses in labor units about the utilization of non-pharmacological approaches is recommended.

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Effect of ice pack application on pain intensity during active phase of the first stage of labor among primiparaous

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupressure with or without ice on reducing pain and anxiety during labour. The anxiety level of mothers was measured before and after study using ...

Comparing the effect of acupressure with or without ice in LI-4 point on labour pain and anxiety levels during labour: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Labor pain is the worst pain experience during women's life. The management of
labor pain is amongst the leading goals of maternity care. Unrelieved labor pain may adversely
affect both mother and the neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Hoku point
ice massage on pain intensity in primiparous women during labor.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 primiparous
women who were expected to have normal childbirth in Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord. All
participants were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30): ice massage (treatment) and sand bag
group (control). The severity of the basal pain was measured at the beginning of active phase
(4 cm cervical dilation) based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Then, after two groups received
intervention, the severity of the labor pain in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation was measured. In
the case group, the crushed ice twisted in a terry bag was rocked on the web of skin between thumb
and forefinger. The massage was carried out in Hoku point throughout three contractions. The sand
bag tactile massage in Hoku point was served in the control group. The data were analyzed using
SPSS software and descriptive analysis using Mann- Whitney, x2, paired and independent t tests and
P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: After completion of intervention, the pain intensity in the treatment group was
significantly less than the control group P<0.001). Also, mean duration of active phase of labor in
treatment group was significantly less than the control group (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the
difference between the mean of the pain pre and post intervention was significant just in 4, 6 and 8
cervical dilation (P<0.001).
Conclusions: Regarding the ice massage as a cost-effective and noninvasive nursing
intervention and considering high satisfaction of patients, we recommend this safe and easy-to-use
technique for alleviation of the labor pain.

Mohammad Rahimi Madiseh

Papers

Relief of labor pain by ice massage of the hand