The Effectiveness of Deep Back Massage in Reducing Pain During the First Stage of Active Labor at Weda Regional Hospital
Keywords:
Active Phase, Deep Back Massage, Labor Pain, Non-Pharmacological Therapy, PrimigravidaAbstract
This study analyzed the effectiveness of deep back massage in reducing labor pain during the active phase of the first stage of labor at RSUD Weda. The article was developed from a tabulated dataset containing paired pain scores before and after intervention in 30 primigravida women. A quantitative pre-experimental approach with a one-group pretest-posttest format was used because each respondent had repeated measurements on the same pain scale. Pain intensity was assessed with a 0–10 numerical rating scale and then grouped into clinical categories for interpretation. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize respondent characteristics, pain distribution, and the magnitude of change, while inferential analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test because the paired difference scores were not normally distributed. The mean pain score decreased from 8.17 before intervention to 5.83 after intervention, with an average reduction of 2.33 points. Before massage, 93.3% of respondents were in severe to very severe pain categories; after massage, 66.7% shifted to mild to moderate pain. The Wilcoxon test showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001), and the effect size was large (Cohen's dz = 1.19). These findings indicate that deep back massage is a relevant, simple, and clinically useful non-pharmacological intervention for reducing labor pain in primigravida women during the active phase of labor. The method can be considered as supportive intrapartum care in maternity services, especially in settings that prioritize comfort, humanized care, and safe non-drug pain management.
References
Apriani, S., & Sari, E. (2021). The effect of counter-pressure massage techniques on the intensity of reducing labor pain during the active phase of the first stage of labor in BPM Herasdiana. Jurnal Delima Harapan, 8(2), 34–39. https://doi.org/10.31935/delima.v8i2.131
Ariani, DUS, & Suryanti, D. (2021). Back massage to reduce pain during the first stage of active physiological labor. Malahayati Midwifery Journal, 7(3), 441–452. https://doi.org/10.33024/jkm.v7i3.4276
Astuti, H., & Syafriani. (2025). Effleurage massage and acupressure's effectiveness in reducing labor pain in active phase of first-stage labor at Tembilahan Hulu Health Center, Riau. Journal of Health and Nutrition Research, 4(1), 62–72. https://doi.org/10.56303/jhnresearch.v4i1.346
Baljon, K., Romli, MH, Ismail, AH, Khuan, L., & Chew, B.-H. (2022). Effectiveness of breathing exercises, foot reflexology and massage (BRM) on maternal and newborn outcomes among primigravidae in Saudi Arabia: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Women's Health, 14, 279–295. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S347971
Chen, P.-H., Kao, C.-H., Gou, S.-C., Liu, C.-Y., Wang, P., & Shih, C.-L. (2025). Effects of massages administered by spouses on labor pain and delivery duration among primiparous women. SAGE Open Nursing, 11, 23779608251366751. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608251366751
Choudhary, S., Jelly, P., Mahala, P., & Mery, A. (2021). Effect of back massage on relieving pain during labor: A systemic review. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10(6), 2466–2472. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20212194
Huda, S., Syahriani, S., Syamson, MM, Hamdiyah, H., & Hasriani, S. (2024). Counterpressure technique reduces pain intensity in the active phase of first stage of labor. Malakbi Midwifery Journal, 5(2), 86–94. https://doi.org/10.33490/b.v5i2.925
Indrayani, T., Syamsiah, S., & Septiarini, D. (2024). The effectiveness of counterpressure techniques in reducing labor pain levels of the first stage active phase. Jurnal Kebidanan Malahayati, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.33024/jkm.v10i4.14558
Irianti, B., & Israyati, N. (2022). The effect of counter pressure on pain during the active phase of first stage of labor. Indonesian Online Journal of Nursing, 5(2), 88–93. https://doi.org/10.51544/keperawatan.v5i2.3503
Khadijah, S., & Marjoni, MR (2021). Comparison of efficacy of the deep back massage method with and without Al-Fatihah for pain management in primigravida during active first stage of labor. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 11(3), 337–340. https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2021.11.01032202101022021
Manikam, RH, Risnawati, Puspitasari, DI, & Meihartati, T. (2024). The effect of deep back massage and warm compresses on labor pain during active phase I. Jurnal Kebidanan Malahayati, 10(6), 607–614. https://doi.org/10.33024/jkm.v10i6.14486
Norhapifah, H., Isa, M.R., Abdullah, B., & Mohamed, S. (2024). The impact of shiatsu massage on labor pain and anxiety: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 12(4), 243–253. https://doi.org/10.30476/ijcbnm.2024.101509.2432
Nori, W., Kassim, MAK, Helmi, ZR, Pantazi, AC, Brezeanu, D., Brezeanu, AM, Penciu, RC, & Serbanescu, L. (2023). Non-pharmacological pain management in labor: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(23), 7203. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12237203
Pratiwi, AM, Zuliyati, IC, & Fatimatasari. (2021). Abdominal lifting, effleurage, and deep back massages are effective in reducing pain during the active phase of first-stage labor. JNKI (Jurnal Ners dan Kebidanan Indonesia), 9(3), 175–182. https://doi.org/10.21927/jnki.2021.9(3).175-182
Refisiliyani, M., Riu, DS, & Usman, AN (2023). The effectiveness of the effleurage massage method compared with rubbing massage in reducing pain intensity during the first stage of normal labor during the active phase. Window of Health, 6(3), 317–330. https://doi.org/10.33096/woh.vi.702
Shahbazzadegan, S., & Nikjou, R. (2022). The most appropriate cervical dilatation for massage to reduce labor pain and anxiety: A randomized clinical trial. BMC Women's Health, 22, 282. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01864-1
Soleha, UM, & Puspitasari, AI (2025). The effect of effluerage massage on reducing pain during the first active stage of labor in PMB in the Babelan II Bekasi work area. MAHESA: Malahayati Health Student Journal, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.33024/mahesa.v5i3.16793
Tırkaz, E., & Akbaş, M. (2025). The effect of effleurage massage on labor pain, anxiety level, and duration of labor: A randomized controlled trial. Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 11(2), 78–88. https://doi.org/10.30934/kusbed.1367689
Wahyuni, R., Supriadi, S., Susanti, D., Syukur, NA, & Putri, RA (2024). The effect of deep breath relaxation and counterpressure massage on pain reduction during labor. Healthcare in Low-Resource Settings, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/hls.2024.11917
Yudha, IN, & Kurniawati, HF (2023). The effect of effleurage massage on the level of labor pain in normal laboring women during the active phase I at PKU Muhammadiyah Gamping Hospital of Yogyakarta. Tower Journal of Health Science, 2(1), 56–67.
