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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07759479

Effects of the Rebozo Technique During Active Labor on Labor Pain and Labor Duration in Primiparous Women

Study Description

Childbirth is a physiological process often accompanied by severe pain and prolonged labor, which may negatively affect maternal well-being and increase the likelihood of obstetric interventions. Non-pharmacological approaches that support physiological labor are recommended as part of evidence-based intrapartum care. The Rebozo technique is a traditional midwifery intervention involving rhythmic pelvic mobilization using a woven cloth to promote maternal comfort, facilitate fetal descent and rotation, and improve labor progression.

This single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rebozo technique on labor pain intensity and labor duration among primiparous women during the active phase of labor. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group, receiving the Rebozo technique in addition to routine intrapartum care, or the control group, receiving routine intrapartum care alone.

The primary outcomes are labor pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and labor duration, measured from the active phase of labor (6 cm cervical dilatation) until birth. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness, feasibility, and clinical applicability of the Rebozo technique as a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention to support physiological childbirth and improve maternal intrapartum outcomes.

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Key information

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital

Istanbul, 34408, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Primiparous women
  • Aged 18-35 years
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Cephalic fetal presentation
  • Gestational age between 37 and 42 completed weeks
  • Spontaneous onset of labor
  • Cervical dilatation of 6 cm (active phase of labor)
  • No contraindication to vaginal birth
  • Able to communicate in Turkish
  • Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Multiple pregnancy
  • Non-cephalic fetal presentation
  • Previous uterine surgery
  • Pregnancy complications requiring emergency obstetric intervention
  • Planned cesarean birth
  • Maternal or fetal conditions requiring immediate delivery
  • Refusal or withdrawal of informed consent

Treatment and study plan

Rebozo technique

Procedure

The Rebozo technique is a standardized non-pharmacological intervention performed using a traditional woven cloth to provide rhythmic pelvic mobilization during the active phase of labor. The intervention was administered in three sessions of approximately five minutes each by a trained researcher in addition to routine intrapartum care.

Routine Intrapartum Care

Other

Routine intrapartum care was provided according to the institutional clinical protocol and included maternal and fetal monitoring, assessment of labor progress, supportive midwifery care, and obstetric management when clinically indicated.

Primary outcomes

  1. Labor Pain Intensity Assessed Using the Visual Analog Scale for Pain

    Time frame: Immediately before the intervention and immediately after its completion, approximately 15 minutes after the baseline assessment during active labor.

    Labor pain intensity was assessed using the 10-cm Visual Analog Scale for Pain, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity and therefore a worse outcome. Scores were recorded immediately before and immediately after completion of the Rebozo intervention. The control group was assessed at corresponding time points.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Duration of the Active Phase of Labor

    Time frame: From the first documentation of 6 cm cervical dilatation until birth, assessed up to 24 hours.

    The duration of the active phase of labor was calculated in minutes from the first documented cervical dilatation of 6 cm until birth, based on standardized partograph records. Higher values indicate a longer duration of labor.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of the Rebozo Technique Applied During the Active Phase of Labor on Labor Pain Intensity and Labor Duration in Primiparous Women: A Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: Rebozo Techniq

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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