Effects of Massage with Thai Wisdom Device on Labor Pain

บทคัดย่อ

The purpose of this two-group experimental design research was to examine the effect of a massage using a “Thai wisdom” device on labor pain. The sample comprised 70 primiparas admitted to a maternity unit at a hospital in northeastern Thailand from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. A purposive sampling sample was assigned randomly to two groups. The experimental group received a 30-minute sacral massage with a ‘Thai wisdom’ device in a massage pattern and the control group received routine nursing care massage for 30 minutes. Data were collected using a faces pain rating scale after the massage, a satisfaction questionnaire postpartum, and a demographic data form. The pain scale and satisfaction questionnaire had an internal consistency of 0.80 and 0.89, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an independent t-test. Results showed that the experimental group had significantly lower pain scores than the control group (t = -3.5, p = .001). The average satisfaction level the experimental group was 2.6. The findings indicate that a 30-minute massage using the ‘Thai wisdom’ device relieves pain during childbirth. The therapeutic application of this device may be considered when providing intrapartum care.