Effect of foot reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labor on primiparous

The integration of reflexology as one of the non-pharmacological pain relief methods in to midwifery care has become more common in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of reflexology on pain intensity and the duration of labor in primiparous.

This clinical trial study was carried out on 80 primiparous women with low risk pregnancy that referring to Karaj hospitals (Iran) then randomized in two groups، intervention group which received reflexology for 40 minutes and control group. Severity of labor pain was shown by visual analogue scale (McGill questionnaire)، before، half، one and two hours after intervention. Moreover، the duration of labor was determined for both groups.

Severity of labor pain before and immediately after intervention foot reflexology did not vary between case and control groups (p>0. 05). But half، one and two hours after it، severity of labor pain in the intervention group was lower than the control group (P<0. 001). Duration of labor in the intervention group significantly was lower than the control group (P<0. 001).

Reflexology can lead to decrease in labor pain as well as duration of labor. Therefore، we can use this non-invasive technique to decrease the labor pain and encourage mothers to normal vaginal delivery that is one of the aims of midwifery