Patient-Reported Levels of Satisfaction in Pain Management With Non-Pharmacological Measures During Pregnancy: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze factors influencing satisfaction in pregnant women during labor as patients and the relationship of the level of satisfaction with pain management through transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

METHODS

A randomized and double-blind controlled trial was conducted. All participants completed the satisfaction scale immediately after childbirth. A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to one TENS device to relieve the pain, with a different dose in each group. Patients' responses were measured with 2 scales; the satisfaction level was measured with the Care in Obstetrics: Measure for Testing Satisfaction scale, and pain was measured with the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

A total of 63 women were randomized into three groups: Active TENS (n = 21), Placebo TENS (n = 21), and Control (n = 21). Baseline characteristics, including maternal age, parity, body mass index, and gestational age, showed no significant differences among the groups (P > 0.05). The active TENS group showed significantly greater pain relief, with a mean visual analogue scale score reduction of (3.3 ± 1.2) compared to (1.1 ± 0.9) in the placebo group and (0.8 ± 0.7) in the Control group (P < 0.001). Maternal satisfaction scores were also highest in the Active TENS group (median 8.0, interquatile range (IQR): 7.0-9.0) compared to Placebo (median 6.0, IQR: 5.0-7.0) and Control (median 5.0, IQR: 4.0-6.0) groups (P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression indicated that only the type of TENS used was significantly associated with maternal satisfaction (β = 0.42, P = 0.007). Other variables, including parity, BMI, perceived support, and baseline pain severity, were not statistically significant predictors (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Overall, a high level of satisfaction with care during the labor process was obtained; we recommend the use of TENS for pain relief to improve general satisfaction.

REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03137251.