[ effect of massage on intensity of pain during first stage of labor]

Labor and birth are two important aspects of human life. At the same time, labor pain is a serious concern for every pregnant woman, Massage as a non pharmacological techniques is a way to overcome this difficulty. Research findings demonstrate that massage has especially positive effects in reducing not only pain, but also stress. Our study has been conducted to determine the effects of massage on intensity of pain during the first stage of labor in primiparous women who have attended Isfahan Shahid Beheshti hospital in 2005. In this randomize clinical trial, a total of 75 primiparous women in 38-42 week of low risk pregnancy were randomly divided in 3 groups. First group received 20 minutes of back effleurage massage at the periods of 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, 8-10 cm, cervical dilation. An emotional support was offered for second group in the same duration of time and the same cervical dilation. Third group just received routine care during labor. In all groups, pregnant women were asked to evaluate their severity of pain before and after intervention. Data being obtained through the visual analogue scale, check list and inspection form. Study result demonstrated that intensity of pain was significantly lower in massage group [p< 0.001]. Intensity of pain in supported group was consistent during 4-5 cm dilatation period and 8-10 cm but during 6-7 cm period there was an increase in severity of pain. In routine care group severity of pain increased in every stage. Receiving back massage is more effective than supporting and routine care for relieving labor pain

The Effect of Infant Massage on Weight Gain, Physiological and Behavioral Responses in Premature Infants / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the premature infants' responses to infant massage (tactile and kinesthetic stimulation). These responses measured by weight, physiological (vagal tone, heart rate, oxygen saturation) and behavioral responses (behavioral states, motor activities, and behavioral distress). METHODS: This study was conducted using an equivalent control pretest-posttest design. The sample was divided into two groups of 13 infants with gestational age less than 36 weeks at birth, birth weight less than 2000g, and no congenital anomalies. The experimental group received the massage intervention twice daily for 10 days. The data were collected for 10 minutes prior to and 10 minutes after the massage. RESULTS: The vagal tone was significantly higher after massage than before massage in the experimental group, while no change in the control group. The experimental group had significantly higher scores for awake state and motor activity than the control group. Significantly greater awake state, more fidgeting or crying, and increased motor activity were reported after massage than before massage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that massage therapy might enhance optimal physiological responses and behavioral organization of premature infants. Nursing staff in the NICU can use massage to promote the infant's capability to respond positively to his environment and to provide developmental support for healthy premature infants.

Influencia da massagem classica segmentar e geral na flexibilidade de individuos adultos jovens / Influency of segmentar and geral classic massage in flexibility of young adults

A massagem classica e definida como uma compressao metodica e ritmica do corpo, ou parte dele, para que se obtenha efeitos terapeuticos, didaticamente divididos em circulatorios, neuromusculares, metabolicos, mecanicos e psicologicos. Tambem podem ser divididos em local, por liberacao local de substancias vasoativas - e geral, quando a massagem e realizada em todo o corpo...