Comparing the effects of ice massage and acupressure on labor pain reduction

Background: Childbirth is arguably one of the most painful experiences women undergo during their lives. This study aimed to compare the effects of ice massage, acupressure and placebo in reducing the intensity of labor pain in pregnant women from selected hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 pregnant women referred from selected hospitals in Tehran. Mean age of the participants was 27.82 ± 6.20 years. Subjects were randomly divided into three groups (n = 30) to receive ice massage, acupressure or placebo. The intervention was applied at the Hegu point and pain intensity assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before the intervention, immediately 30 min and 1 h after the intervention.

Results: Comparing pain intensity immediately, 30 min and 1 h post-intervention across the three groups showed a significant difference between the groups. At 30 min post-intervention (p < 0.05). A Tukey test showed this difference was related to ice massage.

Conclusion: Ice massage and acupressure techniques reduced pain during labor. However, ice massage provided more persistent pain relief. Due to high levels of pain intensity and increased pain experienced by the women during the active phase of labor, it is suggested that repeating these techniques during the first stage of labor could be an effective, accessible, cost-effective and non-invasive technique to help reduce the intensity of labor pain.