Effectiveness of deep back massage in reducing first-stage labor pain among women in active labor: A pre-experimental study

This study aims to determine the effect of deep back massage on pain intensity in laboring mothers during the first stage of labor. A pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach was used. The study involved 30 laboring mothers who received deep back massage during the active phase of the first stage of labor. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention. The results showed a significant decrease in pain levels from an average of 7.6 before the intervention to 5.2 after the intervention (p < 0.001). It is concluded that deep back massage is effective in reducing labor pain during the first stage. The method is recommended as a non-pharmacological alternative to manage labor pain