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Effect of LI4 (Hoku point) massage with ice on labor duration during the active phase of labor among women delivering at El Manial University Maternity Hospital

2016; Medknow; Volume: 13; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4103/2090-6021.200179

2090-603X

M. Fawaz, NadiaB El-Sharkawy,

Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Background Childbirth is one of the most painful experiences for women during their reproductive life. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of large intestine 4 (LI4) massage with ice on labor duration during the active phase of labor. A randomized controlled trial was adopted for this study. Mothers were recruited from the labor unit at El Manial University Maternity Hospital. A total of 200 laboring women were randomly selected after admission to the labor unit according to certain criteria. The sample was divided into two groups (100 each): group A and group B. Women in group A received LI4 massage with ice on their hands and women in group B received routine care. Two tools were developed and filled by the researchers, a structured interview sheet and a partograph, to assess the labor progress and duration.Results We found no statistically significant differences between groups with respect to maternal sociodemographic characteristics. The duration of the active phase (4 cm dilatation to full dilatation) was shorter in the study group compared with the control group. This difference showed a highly significant difference (X=4.5±0.53 compared with 5.39±0.89) (P≤0.05).Conclusion and recommendations The study concluded that LI4 massage with ice on the hands is an easy, cost-effective, and noninvasive technique to reduce the duration of labor.