The effect of mechanical massage on labor pain, duration and maternal satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial

There are limited studies on the use of mechanical massage applications during labor, but its use is expected to increase with the changing technologies. This study was conducted to determine the effects of mechanical massage (controlled by the user) applied on pain during labor, labor duration, and maternal satisfaction.

One hundred and fifty-four primiparous pregnant women were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (n = 53), mechanical massage with mechanical cushion (controlled by midwives) application group (n = 50), mechanical massage with mechanical cushion (controlled by pregnant women) application group (n = 51). Participants used mechanical massage in the active and transitional phases. Data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", "Visual Analog Scale", "Verbal Rating Scale", "Maternal Satisfaction Measurement Scale for Normal Birth", "Partograph", and "Individual Mechanical Massage Follow-up Form".

In the comparison made between the experimental groups in the study, it was found that the duration and intensity of the midwife-controlled mechanical massage were significantly longer than the duration and intensity of the pregnant-controlled mechanical massage (respectively; p = 0.001; p = 0.010). Based on the participants' mean VAS and VRS scores due to labor phases, it was determined that the experimental group participants perceived significantly lower pain levels than those in the control group (respectively; p = 0.001; p = 0.001). In the comparison of the labor durations of the control group and the experimental groups, it was determined that the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in terms of the durations of phases of labor and overall labor (p > 0.05). However, levels of total maternal satisfaction among the groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05); some of the sub-dimensions of maternal satisfaction scores were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05).

It was determined that the mechanical massage intervention that applied in this study reduced labor pain, but it did not affect the duration of labor and the satisfaction levels of the women. The sub-dimensions of Comforting, Meeting the Baby, Hospital Facilities, and Meeting Expectations were effective in the maternal satisfaction with normal birth.