Effect of Massage and Aromatherapy on Stress and Prolactin Level Among Primiparous Puerperal Mothers in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Exclusive breastfeeding in Semarang during the past five years remains low. Only 20 to 64% of mothers were breastfed exclusively in 2010-2012. The incidence of postpartum blues was reported by 29.9% mothers, and mostly (56.6%) was primiparous.Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of Loving Massage, aromatherapy, and a combination of Loving Massage and aromatherapy on stress levels, and changes in levels of prolactin in primiparous puerperal in Semarang.Method: A true experimental study with a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Cluster random sampling was used to select 12 health centers from the 37 health centers in Semarang. A random assignment with a sealed envelope was performed to divide study participants into four groups; loving massage group, aromatherapy group, and a combination group of loving massage and aromatherapy, and a control group. A total of 52 primiparous puerperal mothers was involved, with 13 mothers were distributed equally in each group.Results: Loving Massage, aromatherapy, and a combination of Loving Massage and aromatherapy effectively changed mother’s stress and prolactin levels. Effectiveness of each treatment assessed from the average difference in scores before and after treatment. Combination of Loving Massage and aromatherapy had proven as the most effective treatment in reducing stress levels (11.61 ± 6.76), and increasing prolactin level (83.13 ± 6.41 ng/ml).Conclusions: Loving Massage & Aromatherapy shown to lower the levels of stress, and can increase the levels prolactin in postpartum primiparous. Therefore, it is recommended to provide Loving Massage therapy and aromatherapy to postpartum primiparous mothers.

Mezile’s Model (Back Massage and Self-Hypnosis) Based on Information and Technology to Lose the Anxiety of Postpartum Mothers in COVID-19 Pandemic Era

“…Rahayu et al (2018) stated that endorphin massage by husbands could lower the anxiety of postpartum mothers. Melyana et al (2016) also found that the combination of loving massage and effective aromatherapy could improve the prolactin hormone levels of postpartum mothers [21]. This hormone increases the breast milk production of the mothers.…”

A Status Review on Health-Promoting Properties and Global Regulation of Essential Oils

“…Previous literature suggests that lavender oil has a comforting effect on the central nervous system, and a massage with lavender oil can increase milk production and prolactin levels in mothers [ 115 , 116 , 117 ]. A combination of aromatherapy and massage using EOs increased milk production to a larger extent, as compared to individual treatments [ 118 ]. Similarly, jasmine oil has been observed to increase milk secretion [ 119 ].…”

The Effect of Massage Effleurage on the Back and Breasts on Milk Production in Postpartum Mothers in the Working Area of the Barong Tongkok Health Center in 2022

“…Massage Effleurage Pada Punggung Ibu Menyusui Pijatan terbukti mampu mengurangi stress dan meningkatkan level prolaktin pada ibu menyusui (Widyawati et al, 2016). Massage Effleurage dilakukan dengan cara menekan jaringan dengan kedua telapak tangan dimulai dari pinggang sampai bahu (Hanief et al, 2019).…”