Comparison Of The Effects Of Swedish Massage With Natural Oils

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

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.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of Swedish massage combined with chamomile oil or lavender oil during the first and second stages of labor. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups: chamomile oil with Swedish massage, lavender oil with Swedish massage, and carrier oil with Swedish massage. Outcome measures included labor pain, anxiety, childbirth fear, maternal vital signs, duration of labor stages, and selected maternal and neonatal birth outcomes. Data were collected at predefined stages of labor using validated assessment tools.

Inclusion Criteria:

• • 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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.