# Effleurage massage as a non-pharmacological intervention for labor pain management among primigravida mothers

**Authors:** Soma Bepari, Siva Subramanian N, Mahalakshmi B

PMC · DOI: 10.6026/973206300213550 · 2025-10-31

## TL;DR

Effleurage massage significantly reduces labor pain in first-time mothers and is a safe, cost-effective alternative to medication.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of effleurage massage as a non-pharmacological pain management technique for primigravida women.

## Key findings

- Effleurage massage significantly reduced labor pain scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
- The intervention was found to be safe and cost-effective for use in labor pain management.
- Integration of effleurage massage into routine intrapartum care is recommended to improve maternal comfort.

## Abstract

Labor pain is one of the most intense physiological pains experienced by primigravida mothers. Therefore, it is of interest to assess
the effectiveness of effleurage back massage in reducing labor pain among 180 primigravida women in selected hospitals of Bharuch,
Gujarat. Hence, Participants were divided into experimental (n=90) and control (n=90) groups. The experimental group received effleurage
massage during active labor, showing a significant reduction in pain scores compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Data shows
that effleurage massage is a safe, cost-effective and evidence-based non-pharmacological intervention for labor pain management.
Integration of effleurage massage into routine intrapartum care is recommended to improve maternal comfort.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** pain (MESH:D010146), Labor pain (MESH:D048949)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12859320