Introduction: Touching ensures physical, emotional and spiritual relaxation, confidence, peace, calmness and well-being, and increases self-esteem. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of therapeutic touch on labour pain, anxiety and childbirth attitude. Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled experimental research consisted of 80 (intervention group: 40; control group: 40) women. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale, State Anxiety Inventory and Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
Therapeutic touch was applied twice to the women in the intervention group in addition to routine practices. The first application was performed in the active phase of the first stage of labour, and the second was done in the second stage of labour.
Sukran Ertekin Pinar
Sivas, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual Analogue Scale
It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.
Time frame: Baseline
State Anxiety Inventory
The inventory consists of four-degree evaluations ranging from "Not at all" to "Completely" in the Likert type. There are 20 items in the inventory, and the individual is required to define how he/she feels at a certain moment and under certain conditions, and to respond by taking into account his/her feelings about the situation he/she is in. High scores indicate high anxiety levels, and low scores indicate low anxiety levels.
Time frame: Baseline
Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire
This scale four-point Likert-type questionnaire consists of 16 items and high scores indicate greater anxiety. Scale scores are calculated by taking the average of the 16 items. The items on the scale are scored as follows: "1 = No anxiety ", "2 = Low anxiety ", "3 = Moderate anxiety " and "4 = High anxiety ". Each item on the scale is scored between 1 and 4.
Time frame: Baseline
Visual Analogue Scale
It is used to assess pain intensity. The scale is graded from 0 to 10 cm in length, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the most severe pain. It is applied by having the individual mark a point corresponding to the intensity of the pain they feel. The distance between the marked point and the lowest end of the line is measured in centimeters, and the resulting numerical value indicates the patient's pain intensity.
Time frame: In the final stage of labor
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State Anxiety Inventory
The inventory consists of four-degree evaluations ranging from "Not at all" to "Completely" in the Likert type. There are 20 items in the inventory, and the individual is required to define how he/she feels at a certain moment and under certain conditions, and to respond by taking into account his/her feelings about the situation he/she is in. High scores indicate high anxiety levels, and low scores indicate low anxiety levels.
Time frame: In the final stage of labor
Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire
This scale four-point Likert-type questionnaire consists of 16 items and high scores indicate greater anxiety. Scale scores are calculated by taking the average of the 16 items. The items on the scale are scored as follows: "1 = No anxiety ", "2 = Low anxiety ", "3 = Moderate anxiety " and "4 = High anxiety ". Each item on the scale is scored between 1 and 4.
Time frame: In the final stage of labor