Randomised controlled trial using smartphone website vs leaflet to support antenatal perineal massage practice for pregnant women

Abstract

Background: In Japan, the rate of pregnant women who practice antenatal perineal massage was only 15.1%.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a smartphone website and a leaflet to support antenatal perineal massage practice for primiparous women.

Methods: In a randomised control trial, 161 primiparous women were randomly assigned to a smartphone website group (n=81) or a leaflet group (n=80). Data analysis were by per protocol analysis and intention to treat analysis.

Findings: Of the 161 women participants, 47 in the smartphone website group and 49 in the leaflet group completed all questionnaires. Primary outcome was continuance rate (three times a week over a three week period) of antenatal perineal massage practice. The rates by a per protocol analysis were 51.1% in the smartphone website group and 51.0% in the leaflet group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. Moreover, the rates by an intention to treat analysis were 29.6% in the smartphone website group and 31.3% in the leaflet group, respectively. There was also no significant difference between the groups. There were no significant differences in the evaluation of perineal massage, childbirth self-efficacy, satisfaction with efforts towards childbirth, and perineal outcomes following childbirth which were measured as secondary outcomes between the groups.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference in continuance rate of antenatal perineal massage practice between those using a smartphone website and those with a leaflet, however, the rate was better than no instructions.

Keywords: Instruction; Massage; Perineum; Pregnancy; Randomised controlled trial.