Massage and breathing may help moms avoid painful C-Sections
NCT ID NCT06304311
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether combining back massage with Lamaze breathing techniques helps first-time mothers manage labor pain and anxiety. 90 pregnant women in Pakistan were split into two groups: one received standard care plus massage and breathing exercises, the other received standard care alone. Researchers measured pain levels, anxiety, labor duration, and other outcomes to see if the non-drug approach improves the childbirth experience.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- back massage and Lamaze breathing techniques
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this drug-free approach could offer a simple, low-cost way to manage labor pain and reduce unnecessary C-sections.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-site study with 90 participants, so results may not apply widely. Pain relief is subjective and the effect may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2022
- Finished
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Jan 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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20 to 35 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Primigravidae * Age 20-35 years old * Gestational age of 37-41 weeks * First stage of labour * Singleton pregnancy * Cephalic presentation * Regular contractions * Cervical dilatation of at least 6 cm * Minimum of three contractions every 10 minutes * Contraction intensity of at least moderate * Contraction duration between 30 seconds and 60 seconds Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of underlying chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, mental health disorders, epilepsy or seizure) * Pregnancy-related diseases (e.g., gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, cephalo-pelvic disproportion, polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios, deep venous thrombosis) * Pregnancy complications (e.g., placenta praevia, antepartum haemorrhage, fetal distress, administration of analgesics)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Lady Wallingdon Hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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