Comparison Of The Effects Of Swedish Massage With Natural Oils

NCT07652957 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: E-95961207-202.3.02-402
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Swedish massage combined with lavender and chamomile oils on childbirth outcomes during the first and second stages of labor. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with 90 pregnant women. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: Intervention A (n=30; carrier oil + chamomile oil + Swedish massage), Intervention B (n=30; carrier oil + lavender oil + Swedish massage), and Control (n=30; carrier oil + Swedish massage). Data were collected using the Individual Identification Form, Vital Signs (blood pressure and pulse), Partograph, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I and STAI-II), and the Childbirth Fear Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23.0. The study was designed to compare the effects of Swedish massage combined with chamomile oil, lavender oil, or carrier oil on labor pain, anxiety, childbirth fear, physiological parameters, and selected birth outcomes during the first and second stages of labor.

Conditions

Childbirth; Aromatherapy; Pain Management; Fear; Anxiety; Midwifery

Keywords

Pain; labor; childbirth fear; lavender oil; Chamomile oil; Swedish massage; aromatherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Labor pain intensity Visual Analog Scale

  Measurement tool: Visual Analog Scale Measurement time: 4 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm cervical dilation and immediately after delivery. The scale is a 10 cm long scale used to assess pain intensity. Scores range from 0-100; higher scores indicate more severe pain.

  During Childbirth ( to 24 hours)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• State anxiety level, state and trait anxiety scale I

  Duration of first and second stage of labor servical opening 4-6 cm (up to 6 hours)

• Trait anxiety level, state and trait anxiety scale II

  Duration of first and second stage of labor servical opening 6-10 cm (up to 4 hours)

• Delivery Fear Scale

  During the first and second stages of labor. (up to 24 hours)

Study Arms (3)

Intervention A,

EXPERIMENTAL

Intervention A (n=30; carrier oil + chamomile oil + Swedish massage), Stage I: From cervical dilation of 4 cm to 8 cm, four 10-minute sessions of labor massage were performed using superficial tapping techniques (for the head, shoulders, hands, and feet). Stage II: From 8 cm dilation to delivery, petrissage or strong tapping massage (B-shaped and heart-shaped), petrissage to the head and shoulders, spiral vibration to both sides of the vertebral column, and sacrum compression were applied four times for 20 minutes each. In each stage, the expectant mother was asked to indicate the area where she felt pain using the "Pain Area Drawings" chart. The type and intensity of the massage were determined based on the severity of the pain and the mother's emotional needs.

Other: Aromatherapy and Massage Care for labor pain management

Intervention B,

EXPERIMENTAL

Intervention B (n=30; carrier oil + lavender oil + Swedish massage) Stage I: From cervical dilation of 4 cm to 8 cm, four 10-minute sessions of labor massage were performed using superficial tapping techniques (for the head, shoulders, hands, and feet) Stage II: From 8 cm dilation to delivery, petrissage or strong tapping massage (B-shaped and heart-shaped), petrissage to the head and shoulders, spiral vibration to both sides of the vertebral column, and sacrum compression were applied four times for 20 minutes each. In each stage, the expectant mother was asked to indicate the area where she felt pain using the "Pain Area Drawings" chart. The type and intensity of the massage were determined based on the severity of the pain and the mother's emotional needs.

Other: Aromatherapy and Massage Care for labor pain management

Intervention C

EXPERIMENTAL

Control (n=30; carrier oil + Swedish massage).Stage I: From cervical dilation of 4 cm to 8 cm, four 10-minute sessions of labor massage were performed using superficial tapping techniques (for the head, shoulders, hands, and feet). Stage II: From 8 cm dilation to delivery, petrissage or strong tapping massage (B-shaped and heart-shaped), petrissage to the head and shoulders, spiral vibration to both sides of the vertebral column, and sacrum compression were applied four times for 20 minutes each. In each stage, the expectant mother was asked to indicate the area where she felt pain using the "Pain Area Drawings" chart. The type and intensity of the massage were determined based on the severity of the pain and the mother's emotional needs.

Other: Aromatherapy and Massage Care for labor pain management

Interventions

Aromatherapy and Massage Care for labor pain management OTHER

Although lavender and chamomile oils have been used in midwifery practices in previous studies, no study has been found comparing the effects of Swedish massage

Also known as: Aromatherapy Care Chamomile oil and swedish massage, Swedish massage and basic oil, Aromatherapy Care Lavender oil and swedish massage

Intervention A,; Intervention B,; Intervention C

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Women were included because they were giving birth.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Voluntarily participate in the study and provide written consent.
• Ability to communicate and follow instructions.
• Possess a general health/obstetric status sufficient to safely complete the research process.
• No known allergies to aromatherapy inhalation or skin reactions.

You may not qualify if:

• Having a medical, psychiatric, or obstetric condition that could negatively affect the safety/validity of participation.
• Being unsuitable for intervention due to conditions requiring acute/chronic treatment.
• Using painkillers/sedatives, etc., that could affect the study results
• Showing hypersensitivity to herbal/essential oils or carrier ingredients.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Antalya City Hospital

Antalya, Center, 06000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Antalya City Hospital

Antalya, Center, 43000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Durmaz Fatma Cigdem Sirin, Tosun Hülya, Özlü Aysun COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF SWEDISH MASSAGE WITH NATURAL OILS DURING THE 1ST AND 2ND STAGES OF LABOR ON LABOR PAIN, FEAR AND ANXIETY LEVELS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY . : . .

  RESULT

Related Links

• Article
• https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jsp

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Agnosia; Anxiety Disorders; Pain

Interventions

Aromatherapy; Alkalies

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Phytotherapy; Sensory Art Therapies; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Inorganic Chemicals

Study Officials

• Hulya t Tosun, Phd. FM.

  Kutahya Health Science University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: A researcher overseeing the study's conduct is Dr. Ayten Yılmaz, a faculty member at Düzce University. She is Türkiye's first doctoral aromatherapist
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Phd. Faculty Member of Midwifery Dept. Thesis Consultant

Model Details: Randomise controlled study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 4, 2026
• First Posted: June 17, 2026
• Study Start: July 24, 2024
• Primary Completion: January 14, 2025
• Study Completion: May 19, 2025
• Last Updated: June 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Can be shared between 27/08/2026 and 27/01/2030
• Access Criteria: Researchers working at universities. Master's and doctoral students,

Locations

TU (2)