The effect of stress ball use during the intrapartum period on labor pain and childbirth experience in primiparous women: a randomized controlled trial

AIM: This study examined the effect of stress ball use during the intrapartum period on labor pain intensity and childbirth experience in primiparous women. METHODS: = 31). Women in the intervention group used a stress ball during uterine contractions, whereas the control group received routine intrapartum care. Labor pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during the latent, active, and transition phases, and childbirth experience was assessed postpartum using the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). RESULTS: < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.11). CONCLUSION: Stress ball use was associated with lower overall labor pain, with a significant between-group difference observed during the transition phase, and with a more positive childbirth experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT07011355.