Randomised controlled trial using smartphone website vs leaflet to support antenatal perineal massage practice for...

In Japan, the rate of pregnant women who practice antenatal perineal massage was only 15.1%.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a smartphone website and a leaflet to support antenatal perineal massage practice for primiparous women.

In a randomised control trial, 161 primiparous women were randomly assigned to a smartphone website group (n=81) or a leaflet group (n=80). Data analysis were by per protocol analysis and intention to treat analysis.

Of the 161 women participants, 47 in the smartphone website group and 49 in the leaflet group completed all questionnaires. Primary outcome was continuance rate (three times a week over a three week period) of antenatal perineal massage practice. The rates by a per protocol analysis were 51.1% in the smartphone website group and 51.0% in the leaflet group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. Moreover, the rates by an intention to treat analysis were 29.6% in the smartphone website group and 31.3% in the leaflet group, respectively. There was also no significant difference between the groups. There were no significant differences in the evaluation of perineal massage, childbirth self-efficacy, satisfaction with efforts towards childbirth, and perineal outcomes following childbirth which were measured as secondary outcomes between the groups.

There was no significant difference in continuance rate of antenatal perineal massage practice between those using a smartphone website and those with a leaflet, however, the rate was better than no instructions.