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Perineum; InjuryNCT06162312

Efficacy of Antenatal Perineal Massage in Reducing Postpartum Morbidities

A study testing Antenatal perineal massage in people with Perineum; Injury and Anal Incontinence, run by Department of Medical Services Ministry of Public Health of Thailand at 1 site in Thailand.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

A randomized controlled trial was undertaken at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, encompassing 106 primigravidae within the period of December 2023 to June 2024. The intervention group underwent antepartum perineal massage, starting at the 34th - 35th week of gestation and extending until delivery, while the… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 50 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Antenatal perineal massage
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
106 participants
Where
1 siteThailand
Study dates
1 Dec 2023to 30 Jul 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 50 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Nulliparous singleton pregnant women older than 18 years at 34 - 35 weeks of gestation
  • The fetus has a cephalic presentation.
  • Proficiency in the Thai language for communication
  • Willingness to engage in research projects
  • Intending to deliver at Rajavithi Hospital

Who cannot join

  • Genital infections such as herpes or candida vulvovaginitis.
  • Previous Caesarean section.
  • Pregnant women who underwent epidural anesthesia or required instrumental delivery
  • Pregnant women with a history of chronic cough, urinary incontinence, Anal incontinence, pelvic floor dysfunction, or connective tissue diseases
  • Contraindications to vaginal childbirth, such as placenta previa or Placenta accreta spectrum disorder
  • Birth before arrival

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Thailand1 site
  • Rajavithi hospital

    Phaya Thai, Bangkok, 10400

Other trials in Thailand

About this study

A randomized controlled trial was undertaken at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, encompassing 106 primigravidae within the period of December 2023 to June 2024. The intervention group underwent antepartum perineal massage, starting at the 34th - 35th week of gestation and extending until delivery, while the control group did not receive such intervention. The primary outcome evaluated was the incidence of anal incontinence at the 3-month postpartum. Secondary outcomes included the duration of each labor stage, perineal tears and their degrees, episiotomy occurrences, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, postpartum pain within 24 hours, dyspareunia, and urinary incontinence at the 3-month postpartum.

Read the detailed description

Vaginal births often result in perineal trauma, leading to substantial morbidity. This study hypothesized that antenatal perineal massage (APM) could mitigate the incidence of perineal injuries and related postpartum morbidities.

Participants at 34-35 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned by a computer program to either the Antenatal Perineal Massage (APM ) group or the control group. The APM group received training in self-perineal massage and performed a daily 5-minute massage using water-based jelly until delivery, while the control group did not receive such intervention.

The technique involved inserting the thumb finger 3-5 cm into the vagina, using a water-based jelly for lubrication. The procedure included maintaining the thumb steady on the perineum for 1 minute, applying up-and-down pressure for 1 minute, and performing downward and sideways sweeping motions for 3 minutes. Initial massage sessions were conducted under supervision at the antenatal clinic.

Participants were advised to discontinue APM in case of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), bleeding, or infection, seeking prompt hospital management. Additionally, they were instructed to maintain a diary documenting their daily APM sessions.

Both groups received standard antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care. Obstetric care providers, investigator and outcomes assessor remained blinded to participants' study group allocations.

During labor at the casualty department, routine care was administered without intervention in labor management or cesarean delivery decisions. Recorded data encompassed the duration of each labor stage, perineal tears and their degrees, episiotomy occurrences, urgency for cesarean section or operative vaginal delivery, infant weight, sex, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, and postpartum pain using a verbal numerical rating scale within 24 hours.

Participants were followed up at 3 months post-delivery to evaluate the anal incontinence, urinary incontinence (assessed via the validated Thai version of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory - 20 (PFDI-20)), and dyspareunia (using a verbal numerical rating scale

Being tested
Antenatal perineal massage
Keywords
antenatal perineal massage, postpartum morbidities, Anal Incontinence
Medical subject headings
Wounds and Injuries, Encopresis, Urinary Incontinence

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Antenatal perineal massageOther

    Participants at 34-35 weeks of gestation were received training in self-perineal massage and performed a daily 5-minute massage using water-based jelly until delivery to compare with standard obstetric care on postpartum morbidities

Study groups in NCT06162312
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Antenatal perineal massageExperimentaldaily 5-minute perineal massage from the 34th or 35th week of pregnancy until delivery
Receives: Other: Antenatal perineal massage
ControlNo interventionstandard antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Anal incontinence

    To compare anal incontinence between intervention group and control group. Assessed via the validated Thai version of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory - 20 (PFDI-20)

    Measured: At 3 months post-delivery

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Urinary incontinence

    To compare urinary incontinence between intervention group and control group. Assessed via the validated Thai version of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory - 20 (PFDI-20)

    Measured: At 3 months post-delivery

  2. Dyspareunia

    To compare dyspareunia between intervention group and control group. Assessed via the verbal numerical rating scale

    Measured: At 3 months post-delivery

  3. Postpartum pain

    To compare postpartum pain between intervention group and control group. Assessed via the verbal numerical rating scale

    Measured: At 24 hours post-delivery

  4. Duration of each labor stage

    To compare duration of first, second and third stage of labor stage between intervention group and control group.

    Measured: During delivery

  5. Perineal tears and their degrees

    To compare perineal tear occurrences and their degrees between intervention group and control group.

    Measured: During delivery

  6. Episiotomy

    To compare episiotomy occurrences between intervention group and control group.

    Measured: During delivery

  7. Apgar scores

    To compare Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes of the newborns between intervention group and control group.

    Measured: During delivery

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Dec 2023
  2. Study start1 Dec 2023
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2024
  4. Study completion30 Jul 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
106 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06162312
Sponsor's protocol ID
182/2566
Status last verified
Dec 2023
First submitted
1 Dec 2023
Last updated
14 Nov 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Moossdorff-Steinhauser HFA, Berghmans BCM, Spaanderman MEA, Bols EMJ. Urinary incontinence 6 weeks to 1 year post-partum: prevalence, experience of bother, beliefs, and help-seeking behavior. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Jul;32(7):1817-1824. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04644-3. Epub 2021 Jan 23.

    PubMed 33484286
  • Moossdorff-Steinhauser HFA, Berghmans BCM, Spaanderman MEA, Bols EMJ. Prevalence, incidence and bothersomeness of urinary incontinence between 6 weeks and 1 year post-partum: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J. 2021 Jul;32(7):1675-1693. doi: 10.1007/s00192-021-04877-w. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

    PubMed 34142179
  • Aasheim V, Nilsen ABV, Reinar LM, Lukasse M. Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jun 13;6(6):CD006672. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006672.pub3.

    PubMed 28608597
  • Dieb AS, Shoab AY, Nabil H, Gabr A, Abdallah AA, Shaban MM, Attia AH. Perineal massage and training reduce perineal trauma in pregnant women older than 35 years: a randomized controlled trial. Int Urogynecol J. 2020 Mar;31(3):613-619. doi: 10.1007/s00192-019-03937-6. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

    PubMed 30941442
  • Mei-dan E, Walfisch A, Raz I, Levy A, Hallak M. Perineal massage during pregnancy: a prospective controlled trial. Isr Med Assoc J. 2008 Jul;10(7):499-502.

    PubMed 18751626
  • Tin RY, Schulz J, Gunn B, Flood C, Rosychuk RJ. The prevalence of anal incontinence in post-partum women following obstetrical anal sphincter injury. Int Urogynecol J. 2010 Aug;21(8):927-32. doi: 10.1007/s00192-010-1134-0. Epub 2010 Apr 27.

    PubMed 20422153
  • Ugwu EO, Iferikigwe ES, Obi SN, Eleje GU, Ozumba BC. Effectiveness of antenatal perineal massage in reducing perineal trauma and post-partum morbidities: A randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2018 Jul;44(7):1252-1258. doi: 10.1111/jog.13640. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

    PubMed 29607580
  • Bunyavejchevin S, Ruanphoo P. Thai translation and validation of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR) and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). Int Urogynecol J. 2022 Nov;33(11):3137-3142. doi: 10.1007/s00192-022-05148-y. Epub 2022 Apr 7.

    PubMed 35389055
  • Abdelhakim AM, Eldesouky E, Elmagd IA, Mohammed A, Farag EA, Mohammed AE, Hamam KM, Hussein AS, Ali AS, Keshta NHA, Hamza M, Samy A, Abdel-Latif AA. Antenatal perineal massage benefits in reducing perineal trauma and postpartum morbidities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int Urogynecol J. 2020 Sep;31(9):1735-1745. doi: 10.1007/s00192-020-04302-8. Epub 2020 May 12.

    PubMed 32399905

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Antenatal perineal massage in people with Perineum; Injury and Anal Incontinence, run by Department of Medical Services Ministry of Public Health of Thailand at 1 site in Thailand.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Nov 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Thailand. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Anal incontinence (time frame: At 3 months post-delivery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06162312, which also lists 9 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Nov 2024.

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