title: The Effect of Slow-Stroke Back Massage on the Anxiety Levels of Iranian Women on the First Postpartum Day.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anxiety disorder is common during the postpartum period. Back massage relaxation techniques are one of the most important nonpharmacological interventions to prevent and control postpartum-related anxiety.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of slow-stroke back massage on the anxiety levels of primiparous mothers in the first days after delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-blind controlled clinical trial consisted of 100 primiparous mothers with normal deliveries. The mothers were randomly allocated to interventional (n = 50) or control (n = 50) groups using binary blocks. Both groups were followed up just before, immediately after, and the morning after the intervention. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and Spielberger's state anxiety inventory (STAI) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the mothers was 22 years. There were no significant between-group differences in age (P = 0.333), education (P = 0.427), and medication during labor and the postpartum period (P = 0.412). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean anxiety scores of the experimental (6.66 ± 35.48) and control groups (9.05 ± 37.42) before the intervention (P = 0.268). Immediately after the massage and the next morning, there was a significant between-group difference in the anxiety scores (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings demonstrate that slow-stroke back massage is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive, and effective method to reduce the anxiety levels of primiparous women during the first postpartum day.
authors: Nursing and Midwifery School, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Fereshteh
authors: F
authors: Jahdi
authors: Nursing and Midwifery School, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Mehrabadi
authors: Education Development Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, IR Iran.
authors: Forough
authors: F
authors: Mortazavi
authors: Medical Management & Information School, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Haghani
keywords: Anxiety; Massage; Postpartum