Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to systematically review the findings of the studies conducted about the effect of massage on labor pain.

Material and Methods: The study was carried out by checking original intervention studies published between 2000-2017, on Pubmed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library databases. The review was performed in English using the keywords, “labor pain” and “massage” by examining randomized controlled intervention studies (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled intervention studies conducted under the influence of massage application at labor. The inclusion criteria for the study were determined in accordance with the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). Related topics and abstracts were also examined in the screening (n=95). Among the studies published between 2000 and 2017 (n=93), studies not related to the study were determined according to the title and summaries (n=54). Fifteen articles were received to evaluate of non-experimental research articles and unreachable full texts. However, 5 articles were found to have been repeated and a total of ten articles were found as a result of the search.

Results: Sampling of randomized and non-randomized controlled intervention studies in the review was min.20-max.51 and phase 1 of delivery are generally primiparous pregnancies. As a result of the systematic review, it was found that massage for 30 minutes to areas such as the shoulders, back, abdominal region, sacrum, hand and foot reduces the pain perception in the first stage of labor, particularly in the active stage.

Conclusion: It is found that massaging areas such as shoulders, back, abdominal areas, sacrum, hand and foot in the first stage of labor is effective in reducing the labor pain. For this reason, it is suggested that massaging in labor is made more widespread in health institutions in our country.