Perineal Massage During Labor for the Prevention of Perineal Trauma

NCT07099690 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 466

Last updated 2025-08-26

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether perineal massage during labor can help prevent perineal trauma, such as lacerations or episiotomies.

The study will test two hypotheses:

Null hypothesis: Perineal massage during labor does not prevent perineal trauma.

Alternative hypothesis: Perineal massage during labor helps prevent perineal trauma.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:

Perineal massage group: Participants will receive perineal massage during labor.

Control group: Participants will receive the standard care provided by the labor and delivery unit.

A randomization process will be used to assign participants to each group.

Conditions

  • Obstetric; Injury Pelvic Floor

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Perineal massage

Perineal massage will be performed during labor, either between or during contractions, regardless of the position chosen by the laboring woman. The researcher, wearing gloves, will insert one or two fingers (index and middle) into the participant's vaginal canal and move them from side to side in a "U"-shaped motion, for approximately one second in each direction. Light downward pressure will be applied toward the rectum, according to the woman's tolerance, until relaxation of the massaged perineal muscles is observed. A water-based lubricant will be used to facilitate the procedure. The massage will last no longer than 5 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
50 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-04-02
Primary Completion
2026-07-30
Completion
2026-12-15

Countries

  • Brazil

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07099690 on ClinicalTrials.gov