The Effects of Sacral Massage and Music Therapy Applied to Primaparous Women in Labor on Labor Pain, Postpartum Comfort, and Posttraumatic Growth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the researchers investigated the effects of sacral massage and music therapy applied to primiparous women in labor on labor pain, postpartum comfort, and posttraumatic growth. Materials-Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted with 105 primiparous women admitted to the delivery room of a public hospital in a province south of Türkiye. Data from the study was collected with the “Visual Analog Scale (VAS)“, “Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PPCQ)”, and “Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI)”. Results: After the intervention, the latent, active, and transitional phases’ VAS scores of the pregnant women in the massage, music, and control groups were compared, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). It was determined that the PPCQ total mean scores were 127.0 (119.0-136.0) in the massage group, 121.0 (113.0-127.0) in the music group, 112.0 (106.0-115.0) in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). It was determined that the PTGI total mean scores were 69.0 (62.0-75.0) in the massage group, 57.0 (49.0-72.0) in the music group, 55.0 (40.0-65.0) in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Sacral massage and music therapy applied to primiparous women in labor were found to be effective in reducing the pain levels of pregnant women and increasing postpartum comfort and posttraumatic growth levels.