Angelita José Henrique1, Maria Cristina Gabrielloni1, Patricia Rodney2, Márcia Barbieri1. 1. Department of Women's Health, School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. School of Nursing, Centre for Applied Ethics, Providence Health Care Ethics Services, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of warm shower hydrotherapy and perineal exercises with a ball on pain, anxiety, and neuroendocrine stress parameters during childbirth. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 128 women during childbirth, admitted for hospital birth in São Paulo, Brazil, from June 2013 to February 2014. The participants were randomly assigned into one of the following intervention groups: received warm shower hydrotherapy (GA); performed perineal exercises with a ball (GB); and combined intervention group, which received warm shower hydrotherapy and perineal exercises with a ball (GC) (n = 39). Pre-and post-intervention parameters were evaluated using visual analogue scales for pain and anxiety, and salivary samples were collected for the stress hormones analysis. RESULTS:Pain, anxiety, and epinephrine release decreased in the group performing perineal exercises with a ball (GB). β-endorphin levels increased in this group (GB) after the intervention and showed significant difference in capacity to cause this effect (P = .007). However, no significant differences were observed in cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Warm showers and perineal exercises could be considered as adjunct therapy for women suffering from pain, anxiety, and stress during childbirth. Clinical Trial Registry RBR-84xprt.
RCT Entities:
AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of warm shower hydrotherapy and perineal exercises with a ball on pain, anxiety, and neuroendocrine stress parameters during childbirth. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 128 women during childbirth, admitted for hospital birth in São Paulo, Brazil, from June 2013 to February 2014. The participants were randomly assigned into one of the following intervention groups: received warm shower hydrotherapy (GA); performed perineal exercises with a ball (GB); and combined intervention group, which received warm shower hydrotherapy and perineal exercises with a ball (GC) (n = 39). Pre-and post-intervention parameters were evaluated using visual analogue scales for pain and anxiety, and salivary samples were collected for the stress hormones analysis. RESULTS:Pain, anxiety, and epinephrine release decreased in the group performing perineal exercises with a ball (GB). β-endorphin levels increased in this group (GB) after the intervention and showed significant difference in capacity to cause this effect (P = .007). However, no significant differences were observed in cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels. CONCLUSIONS: Warm showers and perineal exercises could be considered as adjunct therapy for women suffering from pain, anxiety, and stress during childbirth. Clinical Trial Registry RBR-84xprt.
Authors: Chit Ying Lai; Margaret Kit Wah Wong; Wing Hung Tong; Kam Yan Lau; Suk Yin Chu; Agnes Mei Lee Tam; Lai Ling Hui; Terence T H Lao; Tak Yeung Leung Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2022-05-18 Impact factor: 3.105
Authors: Katarzyna Maria Wszołek; Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska; Małgorzata Pięt; Agata Tarka; Marek Chuchracki; Błażej Męczekalski; Maciej Wilczak Journal: Int Breastfeed J Date: 2022-09-01 Impact factor: 3.790