The effects of interferential electrical stimulation current on labor pain and duration of active phase of labor in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Labor pain is one of the most severe pains experienced by a woman during her life. Interferential current (IFC) is a type of transcutaneous electrical stimulation that can reduce pain, especially deep ones. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) aimed to study the effects of quadripolar IFC on pain and the duration of the active phase of labor in primiparous women. METHOD: In this RCT, 60 primiparous women were randomized into two groups of IFC and sham IFC. The IFC group received IFC in two periods. The sham group received sham IFC. Primary outcomes were labor pain in different times of active phase and duration of active phase, and secondary outcomes were delivery satisfaction; the number of infants transferred to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), fetal heart rate (FHR) disorders, Apgar score, partograph variables, and adverse side effects were recorded. RESULT: Between-group changes showed a significant decrease in labor pain during the active phase in the IFC group compared to the sham IFC group (mean difference (MD) = -0.95; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = -1.35 to -0.55; P < .001). The mean of active phase duration was significantly shorter in the IFC group than in the sham IFC group (MD = -38.25; 95% CI = -62.84 to -13.67; P = .003). CONCLUSION: This study showed the effectiveness of interferential electrical stimulation during labor to reduce pain and duration of the active phase, which can be valuable in improving the quality of care and encouraging natural childbirth.

Comparison the effect of Swedish massage and interferential electrical stimulation on labor pain and childbirth experience in primiparous women: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Since mothers are more inclined toward non-pharmacological labor pain management methods, this study aimed to compare the effect of interferential electrical stimulation (IES) and Swedish massage (SM) on labor pain and childbirth experience (primary outcomes) and childbirth satisfaction, duration of active phase and side effects (secondary outcomes) in primiparous women. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was performed on 90 primiparous women. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups through the block randomization method. The SM group received two massage techniques of effleurage and petrissage, on T10-L1 and S2-S4 at cervical dilatation of 4 and 8-10 cm. The IES group received electrical stimulation in a similar way to SM group, with a base frequency of 4000 Hz and a pulse frequency of 80-120 Hz by a physiotherapist. Control group received only routine care. RESULTS: The mean pain was significantly lower in the SM group (adjusted mean difference (AMD) - 0.86; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 1.60 to - 0.11) and the IES group (AMD - 0.95; 95% CI - 1.70 to - 0.21) compared to the control group. The mean score of childbirth experience was significantly higher in the SM (MD 5.63; 95% CI 2.15-9.11) and IES (MD 3.66; 95% CI 0.18-7.14) group compared to the control group. The mean childbirth satisfaction in the SM (p = 0.003) and IES (p = 0.046) groups was significantly higher than the control group; and duration of the active phase of labor was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the control group. No serious side effects were occurred in none of the groups. CONCLUSION: SM and IES are safe methods that can significantly reduce pain and duration of active phase and improve the experience and satisfaction of childbirth.