Effect of Ice Massage in Hegu Zone on Severity of Labor Pain in Pregnant Women Referred to Selected Hospitals in Tehran

Nowadays, different methods such as ice massage are proposed as decreasing labor pain factors. This study was carried out in order to examine the effect of ice massage in Hegu zone on severity of labor pain in pregnant women referred to selected hospitals in Tehran. In a case-control clinical trial, 60 pregnant women referred to selected hospitals in Tehran were allocated randomly into two groups, receiving ice massage and placebo. First severity of labor pain was measured in active phase by visual measurement scale and then ice massage was performed on Hegu zone in case group and placebo in control groups for 10 minutes. The severity of labor pain was compared in two groups before of intervention, immediately after intervention, half and one hour after intervention. Data was analyzed using independent t test, one way ANOVA and repeated measure ANOVA tests. Findings showed that mean of pain was significantly different before intervention and immediately after intervention, half an hour and one hour after intervention in ice massage group. Mean of pain was significantly different before intervention and immediately after intervention in placebo group (p<0.001). There was statistically significant difference between two groups half an hour after intervention (p<0.05). Being Iranian or Afghan does not influence the incidence of HELLP syndrome. However, further amount of proteinuria, lower gestational age at the time of onset of preeclampsia symptoms and also maternal risk symptoms like headache, epigastric pain and blurred vision are risk factors for HELLP syndrome.