Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan WY (1)
Cheng MW (2)
Introduction :
Aromatherapy and warm foot baths have gained attention for their potential to provide relief without the adverse effects commonly associated with pharmacological interventions. Previous studies have suggested that aromatherapy may stimulate endorphin release and reduce anxiety, while warm foot baths can promote relaxation and comfort by flooding the nervous system with soothing sensations. Despite promising evidence, there is limited research on the combined effects of lavender oil in warm foot baths during labor.
This pilot study aims to investigate whether incorporating lavender oil into warm foot baths is more effective than standard warm foot baths alone in reducing labor pain and anxiety levels among women in the latent phase of labor.
Objectives :
- To investigate the effectiveness of incorporating lavender oil into warm foot baths compared to standard warm foot baths in alleviating labor pain and anxiety levels among women in the latent phase of labor
- To provide evidence that supports non-pharmacological labour pain relief for improving childbirth experience.
Methodology :
- A randomized controlled trial will recruit low-risk women at Queen Mary Hospital.
- Participants will be assigned to either an intervention group (lavender oil foot bath) or a control group (warm foot bath only)
- Pain and anxiety levels will be assessed using Visual Analogue Scales before and after a 10-minute intervention
- Data on labor progress and maternal experiences will also be collected
Result & Outcome :
Surprisingly, both subject groups experienced a decrease in anxiety and pain levels following the intervention. Besides, all participants reported feelings of contentment and relaxation during the foot bath, indicating a positive emotional response to the intervention. Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended to explore additional secondary outcomes, including whether the aromatic foot bath group experiences a shorter length of labor compared to the standard warm water foot bath group.
