Effectiveness of touch and massage on pain percepion among primiparturient mothers

Labour is one of the major events in every woman's life. Most women need some form of pain alleviation in ease of pain during labour. According to complementary therapies, touch and massage is an ancient method of pain relief They can be viewed as promoting the release of endorphins, blocking the pain perception to the brain, dilating the cervix and increasing the efficiency of contraction.

A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of touch and massage in pain perception during the first stage of labour among primi parturient mothers in selected maternity hospitals, Nagercoil, 2008–2009. The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of touch and massage in labour pain perception. The study was conducted by adapting a quasi experimental non equivalent control group pre test post test design. Fifty primi parturient mothers who have fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected using nonprobability purposive sampling technique. In the experimental group, touch and massage was given in the shoulder, back and foot. Pre andpost test level of labourpain was obtained using a modified combined numerical categorical scale. In control group without any intervention, the pre and post test level of labour pain was obtained. The study reveals that the mother in the experimental group showed a highly significant decrease in the level of labour pain perception at p<0.001 level. When compared with control group. Administration of touch and massage in the shoulder, back and foot to primi parturient mothers reduced the labour pain. Therefore, touch and massage can be used as a safe and effective method of pain relief which will help in reducing perception of pain in labour.