Using Wet Towel During Labor

NCT07808840 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-43012747-050.04-543-648
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the wet towel method applied during the first stage of labor can reduce labor pain and anxiety and improve childbirth comfort in first-time mothers. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the wet towel method reduce labor pain? Does the wet towel method improve childbirth comfort? Does the wet towel method reduce anxiety during labor? Researchers will compare women who receive the wet towel method in addition to routine intrapartum care with women who receive routine intrapartum care alone to determine whether the intervention improves maternal outcomes during labor. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the wet towel intervention group or the routine care control group. Receive the wet towel application for at least 10 minutes during the active phase of the first stage of labor or receive routine intrapartum care only. Complete assessments of labor pain, childbirth comfort, and anxiety before and after the intervention using validated measurement tools

Conditions

Labor Pain; Comfort; Labor Anxiety

Keywords

Labor; Wet Towel Method; Vaginal Birth; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain intensity assessed by Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the effect of wet towel application on labor pain intensity. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention.The primary outcome is labor pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale before and after the intervention. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater labor pain intensity.

  Before intervention and immediately after intervention during the active phase of labor.

• Childbirth comfort level assessed by Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire

  The effect of wet towel application on childbirth comfort levels will be evaluated using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire before and after the intervention. Total scores range from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating a higher level of childbirth comfort.

  Before intervention and immediately after intervention.

• Anxiety level during labor assessed by Anxiety Assessment Scale for Pregnant Women in Labor

  The effect of wet towel application on anxiety levels during labor will be evaluated. Anxiety level during labor will be assessed using the Scale for Assessing the Anxiety Status of Pregnant Women in Labor before and after the intervention. The mean score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety during labor.

  Before intervention and immediately after intervention.

Study Arms (2)

wet Towel group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Wet Towel

control

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Wet Towel OTHER

A woman who has entered the active phase and is being treated will be safely escorted to the bathroom and prepared for the procedure. A clean towel will be placed over the woman's head and shoulders, and water at an appropriate temperature (approximately 36-38°C) will be directed in a slow stream from the showerhead onto the towel. The water flow will be adjusted so that it gently touches the head area through the towel, and the procedure will be continued for at least 10 minutes. During this process, the woman will be continuously monitored, her comfort and safety will be ensured, and the fetal heart rate will be monitored in accordance with institutional protocol. After the procedure is completed, the woman's head and shoulders will be dried, and she will be taken back to her room for further assessment. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

wet Towel group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: The study includes pregnant women only.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Pregnant women admitted to the delivery room for childbirth
• Pregnant women without any risks
• Pregnant women with sufficient language proficiency to communicate effectively
• Women experiencing their first pregnancy

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant women admitted for a planned cesarean section
• Pregnant women who do not agree to participate in the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sakarya University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sakarya Training and Research Hospital

Adapazarı, Sakarya, 54050, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Shishido I, Konya I, Yano R. Effect on autonomic nervous activity of applying hot towels for 10 s to the back during bed baths. J Physiol Anthropol. 2020 Nov 19;39(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s40101-020-00245-7.

  PMID: 33213514 RESULT

• Mellado-Garcia E, Diaz-Rodriguez L, Cortes-Martin J, Sanchez-Garcia JC, Piqueras-Sola B, Macias JCH, Rivas Ruiz F, Rodriguez-Blanque R. Comparative Analysis of Therapeutic Showers and Bathtubs for Pain Management and Labor Outcomes-A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2024 Jun 15;13(12):3517. doi: 10.3390/jcm13123517.

  PMID: 38930046 RESULT

• Taskin A, Ergin A. Effect of hot shower application on pain anxiety and comfort in the first stage of labor: A randomized controlled study. Health Care Women Int. 2022 May;43(5):431-447. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2021.1925282. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

  PMID: 34156915 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Labor Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• YASEMİN BAŞKAYA

  Sakarya University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 25, 2026
• First Posted: September 9, 2026
• Study Start: August 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)