Effects of Perineal Massage (PERMAS)

This non-randomized controlled trial has the sample target of 75 women analysed, at least, between January and May 2020.

The following inclusion criteria were defined to participate in the study: (a) women between 18 and 40 years of age; (b) full term delivery (37th week or more); (c) single gestation and with cephalic presentation; (d) pregnancy with no complications, nor added risks during gestation; (e) no participation in any other psychoprophylaxis intervention; (f) deliver at the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles (Spain). The following exclusion criteria were simultaneously defined: (a) any contraindication for perineal massage and/or vaginal delivery; (b) medical diagnosis of any urogynecologi-cal pathology previous to gestation process; (c) any records of cesarean delivery and/or history of perineal injury and/or urinary incontinence; (d) not giving informed consent of participation in the study or lack of attendance to every programmed intervention and/or evaluation session.

Approval for the study was obtained through the Ethics Committee of the University of Leon, Spain (code: ETICA-ULE-021-2018). All participants signed an informed consent form, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (rev. 2013), and had the option to revoke their participation in the study at any time. Ethical regulations were respected as well as the Spanish Law for Protection Data Organic Law and for Biomedical Research in Human Participants.

Methodology The interventions include: (a) perineal massage and EPI-NO® device group, applied by an expert physiotherapist; (b) self-massage group, where women were instructed to apply perineal massage in domestic household; and (c) a control group, which received ordinary obstetric attention. Groups were not randomized since the priority was the wellbeing of the pregnant par-ticipant and were assigned according to the participant's preferences (attendance at the medical centre for physiotherapy treatment, self-massage at home or attendance at childbirth preparation sessions only).

Data collection took place during an evaluation session on the fifth- or sixth- postpartum week through a self-reported form where participants registered the characteristics of delivery (gestation week, baby's weight, duration and posture of de-livery, tear, episiotomy, use of equipment and/or analgesia). The form also included a question on intensity of perineal pain at the time of evaluation (quantified by visual analogue scale).

Perineal self-massage intervention Self-massage group received permanent instructions on perineal massage during pregnancy: it should be applied at least twice a week (on alternate days) during 10 minutes using a water-based lubricant from the 34th gestation week until delivery. The position during self-massage should be comfortable and relaxed (recommended: lying face up or semi-seated position). External massage should be applied in semicircles (towards the medial) on both sides of the vaginal vestibule and by 'pumping' (rhyth-mically pressing and releasing) on the central core of the perineum. Internal massage should be applied intracavitary with the thumb by dorso-central glides on both vaginal lateral walls (gliding on the introitus vaginae from 8 to 11 and from 4 to 1 clockwise until tissue relaxation). Then, with the help of the index finger, identify tenser areas on the vaginal walls (such as thin strings) that could be gently pressed or rubbed and then wait for relaxation. Finally, apply tissue stretching technique by clamp traction with one intracavitary finger and other external finger until tension or discomfort, hold the position until relief and then without releasing, apply traction again. This latter tech-nique should be repeated three times on both sides (gliding on the introitus vaginae from 11 to 1 clockwise). Participants in the self-massage group received exhaustive in-formation on massage application and filled in a daily register to check on their ad-herence to guidelines given and were also checked weekly (at consultation in person or by phone).

Perineal massage intervention Perineal massage was applied by a physiotherapist expert in urogynecology and obstetrics during a total of 6 to 10 sessions (from 34th gestation week until delivery) of 30 minutes each on a weekly basis. The position of the pregnant participant is semi-seated, with her back against the stretcher and the legs on the stretchers' legs. A water-based lubricant was used for massage.

The treatment sequence included external massage with two manouvres: vulvar drainage and pump of the perineum central core. Drainage is a semicircular applica-tion with two or three fingers towards the medial on both sides of the vaginal vesti-bule, 15 semicircles on each side, in 3 series of 5 repetitions and moving forward in an-teroposterior direction. In case of identification of vulvar edema, there should be as many applications as needed. Pumps is a series of rhythmical pressures with one or two fingers (3 series of 5 repetitions, that is, 15 pumps in total). In case of muscular edema or hypertone, as many pumps as needed should be applied until normalization of tissue.

Intracavitary techniques were then applied through three maneuvers. First, mas-sage with longitudinal glides on the ani levator muscles, on both lateral walls of the vagina in anteroposterior direction (following the track of the ischiopubian branches) with the second and third fingers. There were 3 series of 5 glides on both sides, in-creasing its number until normalization of tissue. Second, application of treatment of myofascial trigger points of pelvic diaphragm identified by tense bands or active points that provoked referred pain recognizable to the patient and/or response to local spasm. In such cases, manual technique involves inhibition by pressure and/or friction until normalization of tissue and disappearance of associated symptomatology. Finally, application of manual stretches on both sides of the vagina (on the area coinciding with a future possibility of lateromedial episiotomy). The stretching was applied in three stages, moving progressively, according to the sensations of the pregnant partic-ipant and the elasticity of the perineal muscles.

After application of manual techniques, instrumental massage was applied with the EPI-NO® device. First, the device should be introduced deflated and once placed in the vagina, slowly inflated until finding the first barrier, where the pregnant partici-pant manifests sensation of stretching (never discomforting nor painful). Inflation volume was held until the pregnant participant noted her sensation of stretching di-minished, then the ball was slowly inflated again until meeting another stretching bar-rier. Three barriers should be met, and the device should be moved gently in the search for stretching barriers and local massage.

Finally, an external manual technique was applied to relax the perineal area through perineal global pumping by contacting with the first phalanx of the four last fingers of the hand (with fist closed) on the vulvar area. 3 series of 5 pumps were ap-plied.

Safety considerations None of the interventions and assessment tools used (applied as described and as recommended in the available literature) have shown adverse effects after application.

Follow-up The research protocol does not include follow-up for data collection. However, the women participants will be able to go to the physiotherapist who recruited the participants, who applied the different interventions and who collected the information analysed through direct consultation in the public health centre where it is expected that she will continue to work.