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Effect of Foot Reflexology on Reduction of Labour Pain Among Primigravida Mothers.

Publication Type : Journal Article

Publisher : International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice

Source : International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice, Volume 14, Issue 1, p.21-29 (2021)

Url : https://ijtmb.org/index.php/ijtmb/article/view/386

Campus : Kochi

School : College of Nursing

Center : Analytical Chemistry

Department : Obstetrics and Gynaecologic Nursing

Year : 2021

Abstract : Background: Reflexology may help induce labour and reduce pain during childbirth. Fear of pain associated with childbirth leads to increase in the irregular use of cesarean method. Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of reflexology on relieving labour pain and assess the recipient's opinion regarding foot reflexology. Setting: The study taken place in the labour room, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, South India. Participants: 50 primigravida patients experiencing labour. Research Design: A quasi-experimental study design was used. Subjects were selected by convenience sampling technique with the first 25 patients allocated to the experimental group and the successive 25 primigravida mothers to a time-control group, to avoid data contamination. Intervention: Intervention consisted of foot reflexology applied by a trained therapist to five pressure points of both feet that correspond to the uterus. Total intervention time lasted 20 minutes. Control group rested quietly for 20 minutes to serve as a time control. Main Outcome Measures: Pain associated with labour was recorded on a visual analogue scale immediately prior to intervention, and at 20- and 40-minutes postintervention. Patient satisfaction with reflexology treatment was recorded. Results: Mean baseline pain score in foot reflexology group was significantly reduced across the study timeframe relative to control group ( < .001). Post hoc tests confirmed a reduction in labour pain at both the 20-min ( < .001, 95%CI 0.764-1.796) and 40-min ( < .001, 95%CI 0.643-1.677) time points. Eighty-one per cent of patients would recommend reflexology during labour. Conclusion: The findings showed that foot reflexology was effective in relief of labour pain, with a high degree of patient satisfaction in primigravida mothers.

Cite this Research Publication : M. Mohan and Linda Varghese, “Effect of Foot Reflexology on Reduction of Labour Pain Among Primigravida Mothers.”, International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: Research, Education, & Practice, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 21-29, 2021.

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