Randomized controlled trial on the relaxation effects of back massages for puerperants on the first post-partum day

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate relaxation effects of back massage for puerperants on the first post-partum day using physiological and subjective indicators.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included both primiparous and multiparous groups, each of which was divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group was given a back massage for 20 min, while the control group maintained a sitting position for 20 min. Physiological measurements included heart rate variability, parasympathetic nerve activity (high frequency, HF), sympathetic nerve activity (low frequency, LF/HF), and blood pressure. The subjective indicator was an assessment of the feeling of relaxation.

Results: The intervention group included 27 primiparous and 26 multiparous women, and the control group included 23 primiparous and 25 multiparous women. In both primiparous and multiparous women, there were significant differences in heart rate variability and sense of relaxation between the intervention and control groups, and a partial reduction of physical symptoms was found in the intervention groups. In the multiparous women, a significant difference in HF was also observed, and beneficial effects were found in the intervention group.

Conclusion: A back massage is considered to be one of the effective nursing care methods with which psychological relaxation can be given to puerperants in the early part of the puerperium. The multiparous group demonstrated the relaxation effects because a significant effect was observed in heart rate, HF, and diastolic blood pressure. However, no significant difference was seen in LF/HF; therefore, further investigation of this relaxation effect using physiological indicators is warranted.

Keywords: autonomic nervous system; massage; post-partum period; randomized controlled trial; relaxation.