The effect of superficial back stroke massage on the physiological indicators of diabetic pregnant women

Considering that gestational diabetes can cause maternal and fetal problems, this study was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of superficial back stroke massage on the physiological indicators of diabetic pregnant women admitted to Ba'ath Hospital, Sanandaj.

This research was a randomized clinical trial study. The study population consisted of all pregnant women with gestational diabetes admitted to the high-risk pregnancy department of Besat Sanandaj Hospital. The total sample size was estimated to be 92 people and the samples were selected based on the purpose and then randomly divided to two groups of 46 people, intervention and control. The data collection tool included demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, physiological index registration form. For the intervention group, in addition to routine interventions, superficial back stroke massage was performed for 4 days and every day for 10 minutes at 4-6 in the evening. The control group received only routine care. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22 software and chi-square, independent t-test, analysis of variance. p<0.05 was considered significant.

Before the intervention, the two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic, clinical and physiological indicators (P<0.05). After the intervention, physiological indicators including pulse (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.024) and breathing (p=0.001) in the intervention group had a significant decrease compared to the control group. But after the intervention, there was no significant difference in body temperature between the two groups (p=0.285).

In women with gestational diabetes, superficial back stroke massage can be effectively used to improve physiological indicators.