The Effect of Reflexology on Labor Pain and Length Among Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Pain control is considered as the key issue in modern midwifery. Along with medical painkillers, reflexology is viewed as a non-medical and noninvasive method. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of reflexology on the intensity of pain and length of labor. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, participants included 240 Iranian primiparous women with term and singleton pregnancy. Having a 3-4 cm cervical dilatation once they visited the hospital. Through a convenient sampling method, they were selected and then randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, reflexology was performed, and the intensity of pain during the active phase of labor along with the length of labor in the active phase was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and compared with the control group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Result: Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the intensity of pain in the 5-7 and 8-10 cm dilatation in the two groups (P=0.01). Moreover, the labor length in the active phase was found to be significantly shorter in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: It appears that reflexology can lead to a reduction in the pain and length of labor. Therefore, through instructing this technique, a goal of midwifery, which is reducing labor pain and its length can be achieved. Keywords: Reflexology, Labor Pain, Labor Length, Primiparous Women

The Effect of Reflexology on Low Back Pain in Operating Room Nurses

“…Individuals may turn to reliable, inexpensive complementary and alternative treatment methods without side effects to relieve pain, 7,25,26 because conventional medical treatments sometimes fail to control low back pain and due to the side effects. 5,[12][13][14] In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative therapies including reflexology has been increasing. 1,5,26,27 Research suggests that about 33.2% of adults and 11.6% of children use complementary therapies when they have pain, and 41.6% of adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain use these methods in pain control.…”

“…Individuals may turn to reliable, inexpensive complementary and alternative treatment methods without side effects to relieve pain,7,25,26 because conventional medical treatments sometimes fail to control low back pain and due to the side effects 5,12–14. In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative therapies including reflexology has been increasing 1,5,26,27.…”

“…11 In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods has been increasing due to the inability of pharmacological treatment to completely control the pain, the various side effects such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, sweating, itching and dry mouth, 12 and costs. 5,7,13,14 The guidelines published by the American College of Physicians in 2017 recommend that nonpharmacological methods be preferred in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain because nonpharmacological methods are thought to have less harm than pharmacological methods in patients with chronic low back pain. 11 Reflexology, which is a cost-effective complementary and alternative treatment method that can be applied easily without side effects, is a pressure technique applied by hand and fingers.…”

“…Various pharmacological (eg, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, and systemic corticosteroids) and nonpharmacological treatment methods (eg, psychological therapies, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, spinal manipulation, acupuncture, massage, exercise, interest therapies, and various physical methods) are used to relieve low back pain 11. In recent years, the use of complementary and alternative treatment methods has been increasing due to the inability of pharmacological treatment to completely control the pain, the various side effects such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, dizziness, sweating, itching and dry mouth,12 and costs 5,7,13,14. The guidelines published by the American College of Physicians in 2017 recommend that nonpharmacological methods be preferred in the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain because nonpharmacological methods are thought to have less harm than pharmacological methods in patients with chronic low back pain 11…”