Effects of Massage and Shower on Birth Experience and Breastfeeding

NCT07151144 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Eda Gökmen
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Study Design This study is a quasi-experimental research designed to examine the effects of massage and warm shower-used as non-pharmacological methods during labor-on birth satisfaction, maternal comfort, and breastfeeding success. tudy Population The study was conducted in the delivery unit of a public hospital in Turkey in 2025. The sample consisted of women who were experiencing their first pregnancy and giving birth for the first time. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation, Low-risk, singleton pregnancies, Planned for vaginal delivery, No significant obstetric complications during pregnancy, Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. A total of 120 participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Massage Group (n=430): Received massage during labor. Shower Group (n=40): Took a warm shower during labor. Control Group (n=40): Received routine standard hospital care without any additional intervention. Data Collection Tools Data were collected using the following instruments: Personal Information Form Birth Satisfaction Scale Birth Comfort Scale Breastfeeding Success Scale Intervention Massage Group: During the active phase of labor (cervical dilation of 4-7 cm), participants received 15-minute sessions of light-pressure massage to the lower back, sacrum, and lumbar area at regular intervals. Shower Group: During the same phase, participants were assisted to take a warm shower for approximately 20 minutes. Control Group: Received routine intrapartum care with no additional non-pharmacological intervention

Conditions

Pregnancy; Delivery Care

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Birth Satisfaction

  Evaluated using the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS), which measures a mother's satisfaction with her labor and delivery experience (The scale is a 30-item Likert-type scale. The lowest possible score is 30, and the highest is 150. A higher score indicates higher birth satisfaction.). The scale includes multiple dimensions such as quality of care, personal attributes, and stress experienced during labor. 25 September, 2025-15 December, 2025

  up to 3 months

• Maternal Comfort

  Maternal Comfort: Assessed through the Birth Comfort Scale, which evaluates physical, emotional, and environmental aspects of comfort experienced by the mother during labor (The scale is a 34-item Likert-type scale. The lowest possible score is 34, and the highest is 170. A higher score indicates higher postpartum comfort). 25 September, 2025-15 December, 2025

  up to 3 months

• Breastfeeding Success:

  Measured within the first hours postpartum using the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, which assesses five components: Latch, Audible swallowing, Type of nipple, Comfort (breast/nipple), and Hold (positioning).A low score indicates unsuccessful breastfeeding, while a high score indicates successful breastfeeding.

  Within the first 2 hours postpartum

Study Arms (2)

intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

Massage and Showe

Other: Massage; Other: Shower

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Control group

Interventions

Massage OTHER

During the active phase of labor (cervical dilation of 4-7 cm), participants received 15-minute sessions of light-pressure massage to the lower back, sacrum, and lumbar area at regular intervals.

intervention group

Shower OTHER

During the same phase, participants were assisted to take a warm shower for approximately 20 minutes.

intervention group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 45 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation,
• Low-risk, singleton pregnancies,
• Planned for vaginal delivery,
• No significant obstetric complications during pregnancy,
• Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sakarya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sakarya University

Sakarya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Massage

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2025
• First Posted: September 3, 2025
• Study Start: August 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 15, 2025
• Last Updated: January 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)