The Effect of External Pressure Applı̇ed to the Palm on Labor Paı̇n and Childbirth Experı̇ence

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of external pressure applied to the palm on labor pain and childbirth experience.The sample of the randomized controlled study consisted of 60 nulliparous (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) pregnant women who presented to Zeynep Kamil Gynecology and Pediatrics Training and Research Hospital between April and June 2020 to give birth and met the research conditions. The Descriptive Information Form, Follow-Up Form Related to Labor Action, Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used in data collection. During the 5-6 cm, 7-8 cm, and 9-10 cm cervical dilatation stages of the labor process, palm external pressure was applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group, while standard midwifery care was provided to the pregnant women in the control group. The VAS was applied to both groups at admission to the hospital, before and after the 5-6 cm, 7-8 cm, and 9-10 cm cervical dilatation stages, and also at the 30th minute postpartum. Data were analyzed Statistical Package for Social Sciences 24.0 program using number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Levene's test and independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA test, analysis of variance, and chi-square test. In all analyses, p<0.05 values will be considered statistically significant.

Detailed Description
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Labor pain adversely affects pregnant women's perception of the labor process and childbirth. When not taken under control, it causes pregnant women to have negative experiences about the labor process and consequently leads to a decrease in their satisfaction with childbirth. For this reason the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of external pressure applied to the palm on labor pain and childbirth experience. Hypotheses of the research; H 1 : External pressure applied to the palm during labor reduces the level of labor pain. H 1 : External pressure applied to the palm during labor increases the positive birth experience.

Official Title
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The Effect of External Pressure Applı̇ed to the Palm on Labor Paı̇n and Childbirth Experı̇ence

Conditions
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Labor Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: External pressure to the palm


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Being aged between 18-35 years Being a nulliparous pregnant woman Being pregnant at term (between the 37th and 42nd weeks of gestation) Expecting the vaginal delivery Being in singleton and vertex presentation The weight of the fetus between 2500-4000 g Having had an uncomplicated pregnancy process for the pregnant woman and the fetus Being in the latent phase (cervical dilatation below 4 cm) Exclusion Criteria: Having high-risk pregnancy Having any disease and disability related to the hand and palm Having any health problem preventing communication Being a pregnant woman in need of analgesics Pregnant women to whom non-pharmacological methods were applied to relieve pain Undergoing cesarean section due to possible indication

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Experimental Group<br>Information about applying external pressure to the palm was provided to the pregnant women in the experimental group. The researcher practically explained how, when and for how long to apply external pressure to the palm. The researcher introduced the comb to be used in the application of external pressure to the palm, and the application stage of the study was started. | Procedure: External pressure to the palm<br>* During the 5-6 cm, 7-8 cm, and 9-10 cm cervical dilatation stages of the labor process, palm external pressure was applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>Routine midwifery care and services applied to all pregnant women in the hospital were provided to the participants in the control group. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Level of labor pain will be measured with VAS. | (min:0, max:10) | 30 minutes | 
| The Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) |  | At the 30th minute postpartum | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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external pressure, labor pain, childbirth experience, non-pharmacological method, midwifery care