Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Lecturer of Woman’s Health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
2
Assistant Professor of Maternity and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University, Egypt.
3
Assistant Professor of Woman’s health and Midwifery Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
4
Assistant Professor of Maternity, Gynecology, and Obstetrics Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Port Said University, Egypt.
5
Professor of Physical Therapy for Women Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt.
6
Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt.
Abstract
Context: Labor-related pain is a universal experience for parturient women. Several non-
pharmacological methods have been utilized to relieve this pain including counter-pressure and
effleurage massages. Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of counter-pressure versus
effleurage massages on labor pain intensity among parturient women. Methods: A quasi-
experimental design (nonequivalent control group pretest/posttest) was adopted. A purposive
sample of 96 parturient women was recruited and allocated to either control, counter-pressure, or
effleurage massage group. This study was conducted at inpatient obstetrics and gynecology
department of Kafrelsheikh general hospital, Kafrelsheikh governorate, Egypt. Data were collected
using two tools: structured interviewing questionnaire schedule and Numeric Pain Rating Scale
(NPRS). Results: The mean pain scores at baseline assessment did not show a significant difference
between the control group and interventions groups (p>0.05). However, at 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2
hours after intervention the differences in mean pain scores between the control group and
interventions groups were highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). When comparing mean pain
scores between counter-pressure and effleurage groups the differences were not statistically
significant either at baseline assessment or after intervention (p>0.05). Conclusion: counter-
pressure and effleurage massages are effective non-pharmacological measures in reducing labor
pain. Recommendation: Utilizing such simple and effective pain relief strategies by nurses and
midwives should be encouraged.
Keywords
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