Effect of Ice Cold Massage and Acupressure on Labor Pain and Labor Duration: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Labor is one of the most painful experiences to women throughout life. This study aimed to compare the effect of ice cold massage and acupressure on reducing labor pain intensity and labor duration in primigravida women.

Methods: Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted at labor and delivery unit, maternity university hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Sample: Three hundred laboring women were recruited randomly and allocated to the study and the control groups (ice massage group; acupressure group: and control group. Each group consisted of 100 women. Intervention was exerted in cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm on LI-4 acupoint and intervention period lasted for 20 minutes. Labor pain in the three groups was assessed by VAS and partograph. Labor pain intensity and labor duration were compared in the three groups.

Results: There was a significant decrease in pain intensity immediately and 30 minutes after intervention in ice massage and acupressure groups in comparison to the control group (P≤0/003; p<0/002). Moreover the length of first and second stage of labor was significantly reduced (P≤0/003; P≤0/04) in comparison with the control group.

Conclusion: Both ice massage and acupressure reduced labor pain intensity and duration of labor in primigravida women, and the ice massage appeared to be more effective in pain reduction.

Keywords: Pain; Labor; Ice Massage; Acupressure