A pilot randomised controlled trial exploring the effects of antenatal reflexology on labour outcomes

• Published in: Midwifery Vol. 55; pp. 137 - 144
• Main Authors: McCullough, Julie E.M., Close, Ciara, Liddle, S.Dianne, Sinclair, Marlene, Hughes, Ciara M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Births; Childbirth & labor; Clinical outcomes; Clinical Trial; Clinical trials; Data collection; Duration; Epidural; Evidence-based medicine; Feedback; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Income - statistics & numerical data; Labor Pain - therapy; Labour; Low back pain; Low Back Pain - therapy; Massage - methods; Massage - standards; Midwifery; Midwives; Nursing; Patient-centered care; Pelvic girdle pain; Pelvic pain; Pelvic Pain - therapy; Pilot Projects; Pilot study; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome - epidemiology; Prenatal care; Prenatal Care - methods; Prenatal Care - standards; Reflexology; Side effects; United Kingdom > UK; Pilot study; Pelvic girdle pain; Nursing; Clinical Trial; Low back pain; Midwifery; Labour; Duration; Reflexology
• ISSN: 0266-6138; 1532-3099
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2017.09.006

to investigate the effects of antenatal reflexology on labour outcomes.
secondary analysis of a pilot three-armed randomised controlled trial conducted between July 2012 and September 2013.
a large UK inner city hospital maternity department.
ninety primiparous women with a singleton pregnancy experiencing low back and / or pelvic girdle pain.
six weekly 30-minute reflexology treatments compared to sham (footbath) treatments or usual antenatal care only.
labour outcome data including labour onset, duration of the second stage of labour, epidural and Entonox usage, and mode of delivery. Participant feedback was collected prior to each treatment.
labour outcomes were collected for 61 women (95.3%) who completed the study. The second stage of labour duration data, available for 42 women (62.5%) who had vaginal births, showed a mean reduction of 44minutes in the reflexology group (73.56minutes; SD= 53.78) compared to the usual care (117.92minutes; SD=56.15) (p<0.05) and footbath groups (117.4minutes; SD=68.54) (p=0.08). No adverse effects were reported.
in this trial antenatal reflexology reduced labour duration for primiparous women who had experienced low back and/ or pelvic girdle pain during their pregnancy, compared with usual care and footbaths.
reflexology is suitable for use during pregnancy, is safe and enjoyable and may reduce labour duration. Midwives may wish to recommend reflexology to promote normal childbirth and facilitate women centred care.
this trial was listed with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN26607527).
•Antenatal reflexology may reduce the duration of the second stage of labour for primiparous women with low back and/ or pelvic girdle pain.•Reflexology is safe to use during pregnancy.•Pregnant women enjoy reflexology and find it beneficial.