Effect of Effleurage Massage on Labor Pain Intensity in Parturient Women

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of effleurage massage on labor pain intensity in
parturient women. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized to conduct the
current study at the labor and delivery unit, of Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt.
A nonprobability purposive sample of 80 parturient women during their active phase of labor was
allocated to either the control group, who received conventional care for parturient women, or the
intervention group, who received effleurage massage besides the conventional care. Three tools
were used to collect the data; the first tool was a structured interview questionnaire to assess
participants' basic characteristics. The second tool was the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) to
assess pain intensity before and after the massage. The third tool was five point Likert scale for the
mother's satisfaction with pain relief. Results: At the baseline assessment, there was no significant
difference in the NPRS pain score between the two groups. However, immediately after effleurage
massage, the NPRS pain score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control
group (5.9 ± 0.8 vs. 6.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.039). Moreover, at 30 min and 2 h after initiating massage,
NPRS pain scores was further reduced in the intervention group than in the control group (5.8 ± 1.1
vs. 6.4 ± 1.3, p < 0.029 and 5.7 ± 1.1 vs. 6.5 ± 1.5, p < 0.008 , respectively). Furthermore, 60% of
mothers reported a high satisfaction level with massage as pain relief method, while only 10% were
dissatisfied. Conclusion: Effleurage massage is an effective pain relief method that reduces labor
pain intensity in parturient women. Thus, effleurage massage should be integrated into routine care
for parturient women.