Examining the Impact of Swedish Massage with Chamomile Oil During Labor on Fear of Childbirth, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND

Massage has long been used during labor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Swedish massage on fear of childbirth, stress, anxiety, and depression in primiparous women.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This randomized clinical trial was conducted using number card-based random sampling. It involved a total of 154 primiparous pregnant women admitted to 22 Bahman Hospital in Masjed Soleiman City between September 10, 2020 and April 19, 2021. Participants were assigned to one of three groups: Swedish massage with and without chamomile oil, and a control group. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ). In the intervention groups, Swedish massage was performed from the active phase of labor onward. The control group received only routine care. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, ANCOVA, and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of basic variables (p > 0.05). Prior to the intervention, the mean scores for fear (p = 0.320), anxiety (p = 0.605), depression (p = 0.320), and stress (p = 0.292) were not significantly different among the groups. However, following the intervention, all these scores were significantly lower in the massage groups compared to the control group, with the greatest reduction observed in the group receiving massage with chamomile oil (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that therapeutic massage can effectively reduce or enhance fear, stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, this method can be recommended to improve the emotional wellbeing of mothers during labor.