Effectiveness of Kinesiotaping and Acu-TENS on maternal and neonatal outcomes in the first stage of labor among primigravidas: A Comparative study

BACKGROUND: The rate of caesarean section according to National Family Health Survey-4 in Tamilnadu was increased from 8.5% to 17.2% over the last decade. The most common reason for rise in elective caesarean section rate among primigravidas was maternal request due to fear of labor pain. The important factors causing labor pain are dilatation of cervix and uterine contractions. Nonpharmacological methods such as kinesiotaping, Acu-TENS and breathing exercises are safe and effective for maternal pain relief during the first stage of labor. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of kinesiotaping and Acu-TENS combined with breathing exercises on maternal and neonatal outcomes among primigravid women. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 normal full-term primigravid women during the first stage of labor with regular painful, palpable uterine contractions and cervical dilatation from 3cm to 5cm. They were assigned into 2 equal groups, group A and group B. Group A received kinesiotaping with breathing exercises while group B received Acu-TENS with breathing exercises. Assessment of pain during first stage of labor for all participants was carried out before and after the treatment program using visual analogue scale (VAS). Other measures such as duration of active phase in first stage labor, mode of delivery and neonatal well-being were measured after treatment following delivery. RESULTS: Kinesiotaping group experienced VAS score reduction (5.800) significantly more than the ACU-TENS with breathing exercises group (7.350), the ‘p’ value obtained is 0.004 which is < 0.05. But there is no significant change in duration of the active phase of first stage labor between Group A (317.25) and group B (257.00), the ‘p’ value obtained is 0.319 which is > 0.05. Therefore the null hypothesis is accepted. Caesarean section rate was increased in group A (35% [7/20]) than in group B (25% [5/20]), but neonatal outcomes were not different. CONCLUSION: This quasi-experimental study showed that kinesiotaping with breathing exercises (Group A) resulted in significantly better pain relief than ACU-TENS with breathing exercises (Group B) in the first stage of labor among primigravidas. But there is no significant difference between the two intervention groups in terms of duration of active phase of first stage labor, Apgar score at 1 minute and 5 minutes post-delivery. Caesarean section rate was slightly increased in group A compared to group B. No obvious adverse effects in maternal and neonatal outcomes were noted between the groups. Kinesiotaping and ACU-TENS combined with breathing exercises could be a non-invasive adjunct for pain relief in the first stage of labor for primigravidas