Therapeutic Touch vs Distraction for Labor Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This trial compared the efficacy of distraction and therapeutic touch for reducing labor pain in primiparous women. DESIGN: A single-center, randomized controlled trial. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Khalkhal County, Iran, involving 93 primiparous women at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Participants were selected through convenience sampling and then allocated via blocked randomization into three groups: distraction, therapeutic touch, and a control group receiving routine care. The intervention groups participated in structured educational sessions prior to delivery. At the onset of active labor (dilation ≥6 cm), pain intensity was assessed at multiple time points using both the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WB-FACES) and the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using a repeated‑measures ANOVA framework, with adjustment for covariates via ANCOVA and appropriate corrections for sphericity. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Despite baseline differences in occupation (p = .003) and education (p = .047), a significant group × time interaction emerged (p < .05). Therapeutic touch significantly reduced labor pain vs control on the visual analog scale at hours 3 (MD: -1.24, p = .041) and 4 (MD: -1.76, p = .012) and on WB-FACES at hour 4 (MD: -1.71, p = .008), representing reductions of 7.1%-9.7%. Distraction showed no significant reduction vs control. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was found between therapeutic touch and distraction. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic touch significantly reduces labor pain vs routine care. Its comparative efficacy over distraction requires further investigation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Based on the trial results, therapeutic touch can be recommended as an effective nonpharmacological intervention to significantly reduce labor pain in primiparous women.