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Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy
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Effect of kinesio taping therapy combined with breathing exercises on childbirth duration and labor pain: a randomized controlled trial

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy volume 21, pages 23–31 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Labor pain is a common complaint. The method used to reduce maternal discomfort should be efficacious and safe for the mother and the child. Several alternative methods have been reported to reduce childbirth pain.

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of kinesio taping combined with breathing exercises on childbirth duration and labor pain.

Participants and methods

This study was conducted on 40 normal full-term primigravida women during the first stage of labor with regular painful, palpable uterine contraction, and cervical dilatation between 3 and 5cm. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups, group A and group B. Group A (the study group) consisted of 20 women, and group B (the control group) consisted of 20 women. All participants in both groups A and B performed breathing exercises in addition to conventional medical treatment. However, group A patients received kinesio taping at the lumbar region and anterior lower abdomen during the first stage of normal labor. Assessment of all participants in both groups A and B was carried out before and after the treatment program using visual analogue scale (VAS), cardiotocography, and by measuring the duration of the first stage of labor using a stopwatch.

Results

There was a nonsignificant difference between group A and group B in pain intensity using VAS in the first stage of labor at the first reading (cervical dilatation: 3–4cm). However, there was a highly significant difference between group A and group B in the pain intensity using VAS in the first stage of labor at the second reading (cervical dilatation: 7–8cm), favoring group A. Furthermore, there was a highly significant difference between group A and group B in the duration of the first stage of labor, favoring group A.

Conclusion

These results suggest that kinesio taping combined with breathing exercise is an effective method in reducing labor pain and shortening the duration of the first stage of labor.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed Elzaiat St. Ben Elsaryat, 12612, El Dokki-Giza, Egypt

    Ghada E. El-Refaye PhD & Engy M. El Nahas

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Hassan O. Ghareeb

Authors
  1. Ghada E. El-Refaye PhD
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  2. Engy M. El Nahas
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  3. Hassan O. Ghareeb
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ghada E. El-Refaye PhD.

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El-Refaye, G.E., El Nahas, E.M. & Ghareeb, H.O. Effect of kinesio taping therapy combined with breathing exercises on childbirth duration and labor pain: a randomized controlled trial. Bull Fac Phys Ther 21, 23–31 (2016). https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-6611.188026

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-6611.188026

Keywords

  • breathing exercise
  • childbirth duration
  • kinesio taping
  • labor pain
  • randomized controlled trial