Participants
The study sample size was calculated by using G*Power 3 power
calculations based on previous studies in which ice massage was applied
to acupressure points during labor. Impact estimation was obtained from
the findings of the study conducted by Hajiamini et al., who reported
pain severity as 5.90 ± 1.84 in the ice massage group and 7.10 ± 1.64 in
the control group 30 minutes after the ice massage
application.12 In the present study, it was aimed to
determine a similar difference. The sample size for each group was
determined to be at least 47 individuals. Accordingly, 50 primiparas
were assigned to the intervention group and the control group each. The
power analysis performed showed that the sample size of the study had a
power as α = 0.05, Power = 0.91, df = 98. The decrease observed in labor
pain at 4-5 cm cervical dilatation compared to the control group had an
impact size of 0.61.
The inclusion criteria for the primiparas were having a single healthy
fetus, having a gestational age between 38 and 40 weeks, expecting
vaginal delivery, having fetal cephalic presentation, having no chronic
diseases, not having a high-risk pregnancy, being in stage 1 of
childbirth, and having a 4-5 cm cervical dilatation. Pregnant women who
were multiparous, had multiple pregnancies, had high-risk pregnancy, had
delivery with complications, and came to the clinic after 4-5 cm
dilatation were excluded from the study.
Single blind block randomization for pregnant women who met the
inclusion criteria was achieved by using Sequence Generator method
located under the subheading of Numbers at random.org website. In the
program, two columns were created according to the sample size. The
pregnant women were randomly assigned to Column 1 or Column 2 according
to their registration number. The assignment of the columns to either
the intervention group or the control group was done through a draw. Ice
massage was applied to SP6 points of the pregnant women in the
intervention group, while the pregnant women in the control group was
provided with standard midwifery care.