A Pilot Study of Partner Chair Massage Effects on Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Pain

BACKGROUND: Women worldwide experience perinatal mood, anxiety, and pain contributing to pregnancy and birth challenges, maternal and infant bonding, and childhood development. Perinatal women seek massage therapy for relaxation, pain management, and emotional support, but may encounter socioeconomic barriers. Prior studies demonstrated improved perinatal health by teaching partners of pregnant women a side-lying massage. PURPOSE: This study examined health effects to perinatal mood, anxiety, and pain, by teaching partners of pregnant (PG) women a chair massage. SETTING: Participant’s homes in Tucson, Arizona, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve PG women with minor mood, anxiety, and pain: 67% white, 33% Hispanic, college educated, married, aged 32 years (± 3.86 SD), 67% expecting a first child, annual incomes ≤ $50,000 (33%), > $50,000 (67%). RESEARCH DESIGN: A pre/postintervention pilot study in a single group for eight weeks. INTERVENTION: Twice weekly partner-delivered chair massage and its relation to perinatal mood, anxiety, and pain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre/poststudy perinatal massage effects were measured with the Edinburgh Depression Scale (mood), the STAI-AD (anxiety), and the VAS (pain). Weekly text messaging tracked dose and frequency, follow-up surveys measured sustainability, and birth outcomes were acquired by texting. RESULTS: Study retention was 86%, protocol compliance 94%, with couples averaging 10-minute, twice weekly chair massage over the eight-week study period. Paired-sample t tests indicated statistically significant improvements to perinatal mood and anxiety, Cohen’s d, a large strength of effect size (p = .012, d = 0.87; p = .004, d = 1.03). A trend was observed for reduced pain, with a medium strength of effect size (p = .071; d = 0.58). Follow-up surveys indicated most couples were sustaining at least weekly massage. Birth outcomes showed healthy infants with no complications, mean birth weight of 7.26 pounds, and mean gestation of 39 weeks. CONCLUSION: This is the first evidence of partner chair massage as safe and effective complementary home management of perinatal mood, anxiety, and pain.