Effect of Multi-Sensory Interventions on Labor Pain, Comfort, and Birth Satisfaction

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether different multi-sensory methods can help lower labor pain and improve comfort and birth satisfaction among pregnant women giving birth vaginally.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Do supportive methods such as massage, lavender aromatherapy, Turkish makam music, or aquarium visual stimulation help women feel less labor pain compared to standard care?

Do these methods increase women's comfort and satisfaction during labor?

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of five groups:

Sacral massage group - will receive 10-minute sacral massages three times during labor.

Lavender aromatherapy group - will inhale lavender essential oil through a diffuser for 20 minutes, three times during labor.

Music therapy group - will listen to Turkish makam music (Rehavi or Nihavend) for 20 minutes, three times during labor.

Visual stimulation group - will watch a live aquarium image continuously during active labor.

Control group - will receive standard maternity care only.

All participants will give informed consent and receive care in the obstetrics unit of Kütahya City Hospital, Türkiye.

Researchers will measure:

Labor pain intensity at 4-5 cm, 6-7 cm, and 8-10 cm cervical dilatation using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Comfort level at 8-9 cm using the Comfort Characteristics Questionnaire (CCQ).

Birth satisfaction about 2 hours after delivery using the Birth Satisfaction Scale (BSS).

Labor duration will also be recorded.

This study will help determine which sensory methods are most effective and comfortable for pregnant women, and may guide supportive care practices during childbirth.

Conditions

• Labor Pain
• Birth Satisfaction

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Sacral Massage

A 10-minute sacral massage applied by a trained midwife during each stage of labor (three sessions in total). The massage involves circular hand motions to relieve pain and promote relaxation.

BEHAVIORAL

Lavender Aromatherapy

Lavender essential oil diffused for 20 minutes during each stage of labor (three times total) to promote calmness and reduce pain intensity.

BEHAVIORAL

Turkish Makam Music

Rehavi and Nihavend Turkish makam music (45-65 dB) played through headphones for 20 minutes during each stage of labor (three times total).

BEHAVIORAL

Aquarium Visual Stimulus

Continuous presentation of an aquarium scene video during the active phase of labor to provide visual distraction and relaxation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ataturk University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-01

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-06-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations