Effectiveness of ice massage in reduction of labor pain during first stage of labor among primigravida mothers

Abstract

Labor is a stressful experience that has pain, fatigue, fear and negative moods reaching high levels as labor progresses. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ice massage in reduction of labor pain between control and experimental group. Quantitative research approach and Quasi experimental after research only design was adopted for this study. Sixty Primigravida mothers at first stage of labor were divided as 30 each in both the experimental and control group. Visual analogue scale was utilized to assess the labor pain. Experimental group participants received ice massage at energy meridian point that is known as Large intestine 4(LI 4) for subsequent 4 uterine contractions or for 20 minutes. This intervention was not followed in control group. The collected data were examined by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of the study revealed that 23.3% of mothers had moderate pain and 76.67% had severe pain in control group and in experimental group, 3.33% of mothers had mild pain, 83.33% had moderate pain and 13.33% had severe pain. A significant difference at the level of p< 0.05 was found between the experimental and control group on labor pain. This experiment also revealed that there was significant association between the pain score in experimental group and their selected demographic variables such as type of family, residence and occupation. It was concluded that the ice massage at energy meridian point (LI 4) was the effective method to reduce labor pain during the first stage of labor.

The Effect of Ice Massage Applied to the SP6 Point on Labor Pain, Labor Comfort, Labor Duration, and Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…In this study, ice massage applied to the SP6 point at 4 to 5 cm, 6 to 7 cm, and 8 to 9 cm cervical dilatation reduced perceived labor pain. In other studies, the labor pain levels of cold massage groups have been found to be significantly lower than control groups 3,8,12,13,21,23–25 . The continual stimulation of acupressure points in labor can increase vital energy flow in the meridians, and thus provide more considerable therapeutic effects 21 .…”

“…In other studies, the labor pain levels of cold massage groups have been found to be significantly lower than control groups. 3,8,12,13,21,[23][24][25] The continual stimulation of acupressure points in labor can increase vital energy flow in the meridians, and thus provide more considerable therapeutic effects. 21 In studies similar to this study in which acupressure was applied to the SP6 point, it has been reported that labor pain levels of intervention groups are lower compared with those of control groups.…”

“…3,22 Most of the research on ice massage to reduce labor pain has focused on the Hegu acupressure point on the hands. 12,13,20 Various durations of ice massage applied to the Hegu point have been shown effective for reducing labor pain, including 20 minutes; 13,23,24 10 minutes divided into 2-minute segments, followed by a 15-minute break; 12 30 minutes; 8,25 and 80 minutes. 21 Only one study has examined the effects of cold application to the SP6 point on labor pain.…”

The Effect of Ice Massage Applied to SP6 Point on Labor Pain, Labor Comfort, Labor Duration, and Anxiety

“…3 There are also other studies in which cold massage was applied to Hegu (LI4) point other than SP6 point. 8,12,13,19,26,27 In the studies conducted by Dehcheshmeh and Rafiei (2015), Indumathi (2018), and Afefy (2015), it was reported that ice massage applied to Hegu point for 29 minutes reduced labor pain more compared to the control group. 13,26,28 In the study they conducted, Hajiamimi et al (2012) applied ice massage to Hegu point for 10 minutes in 2-minute rotations, followed by a 15-minute break.…”

“…8,12,13,19,26,27 In the studies conducted by Dehcheshmeh and Rafiei (2015), Indumathi (2018), and Afefy (2015), it was reported that ice massage applied to Hegu point for 29 minutes reduced labor pain more compared to the control group. 13,26,28 In the study they conducted, Hajiamimi et al (2012) applied ice massage to Hegu point for 10 minutes in 2-minute rotations, followed by a 15-minute break. As a result, they found that ice massage applied decreased labor pain immediately after the intervention, 30 minutes later, and one hour later.…”