The Impact of Shiatsu Massage on Labour Pain and Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

1 Departement of Midwifery, Institut Teknologi Kesehatan Dan Sains Wiyata Husada Samarinda, Indonesia;

2 Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia;

3 Maternofetal and Embryo (MatE) Research Group Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia;

4 Maternofetal and Embryo (MatE) Research Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia;

5 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia;

6 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Labour pain experienced by women during childbirth can significantly affect the mother’s psychological condition and birthing process. This study aimed to determine the effect of shiatsu massage on pain and anxiety during labour.
Method: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 nulliparous pregnant women who gave birth in four low-risk maternity clinics in Samarinda, Indonesia, from February to May 2022. The women were randomized into intervention (N=40) and control (N=40) groups based on random allocation. Certified midwives performed shiatsu massages following standard protocols. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale, and anxiety was assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Score at three times including before the intervention (T0), the latent phase (T1), and at transition phase (T2). The impact of the intervention was analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance by SPSS 26. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in labour pain scores from 6.85±1.00 (T0) to 6.13±0.88 (T1) and 4.78±0.83 (T2) (P<0.001), while the control group showed an increase from 6.85±1.00 (T0) to 8.05±0.64 (T1) and 8.85±0.48 (T2) (P<0.001). Anxiety scores in the intervention group decreased from 28.53±4.41 (T0) to 26.15±3.59 (T1) and 20.65±2.69 (T2) (P<0.001), whereas the control group experienced an increase from 25.55±3.16 (T0) to 27.05±3.36 (T1) and 31.73±3.27 (T2) (P<0.001). The between-subject effects in time levels for labour pain and anxiety in the two study groups had a significant impact (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Findings showed that shiatsu massage was effective and safe for relieving pain and reducing anxiety during childbirth of nulliparous women. This research suggests that shiatsu massage can be used as an effective alternative method to relieve pain and anxiety during labour in low risk pregnancies, particularly in settings with limited access to pharmaceutical analgesics.
Trial Registration Number: IRCT20220317054316N1.

Highlights

Hestri Norhapifah (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Mohamad Rodi Isa (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

References

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International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery
Volume 12, Issue 4 - Serial Number 48
October 2024
Pages 243-253

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