Therapeutic Touch vs Distraction for Labor Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose

This trial compared the efficacy of distraction and therapeutic touch for reducing labor pain in primiparous women.

Design

A single-center, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Khalkhal County, Iran, involving 93 primiparous women at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and then allocated via blocked randomization into three groups: distraction, therapeutic touch, and a control group receiving routine care. The intervention groups participated in structured educational sessions prior to delivery. At the onset of active labor (dilation ≥6 cm), pain intensity was assessed at multiple time points using both the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WB-FACES) and the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using a repeated‑measures ANOVA framework, with adjustment for covariates via ANCOVA and appropriate corrections for sphericity. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Despite baseline differences in occupation (p = .003) and education (p = .047), a significant group × time interaction emerged (p < .05). Therapeutic touch significantly reduced labor pain vs control on the visual analog scale at hours 3 (MD: -1.24, p = .041) and 4 (MD: -1.76, p = .012) and on WB-FACES at hour 4 (MD: -1.71, p = .008), representing reductions of 7.1%-9.7%. Distraction showed no significant reduction vs control. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was found between therapeutic touch and distraction.

Conclusions

Therapeutic touch significantly reduces labor pain vs routine care. Its comparative efficacy over distraction requires further investigation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Based on the trial results, therapeutic touch can be recommended as an effective nonpharmacological intervention to significantly reduce labor pain in primiparous women.