The Effect of Prenatal Massage on Sleep Quality in Third-Trimester Pregnant Women

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are among the most common health problems experienced by women during the third trimester of pregnancy due to physiological and psychological changes that reduce maternal comfort and well-being. Poor sleep quality may negatively affect physical recovery, emotional stability, and readiness for childbirth. Therefore, safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions are needed to improve maternal sleep quality. This study aimed to analyze the effect of prenatal massage on sleep quality among third-trimester pregnant women in the working area of Birayang Primary Health Center. A quantitative study with a quasi-experimental approach using a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted involving 40 third-trimester pregnant women selected according to the inclusion criteria. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the prenatal massage intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test with a significance level of 0.05. The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in maternal sleep quality following the intervention. Before receiving prenatal massage, a considerable proportion of participants experienced poor sleep quality; however, after the intervention, most respondents showed improved sleep quality. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between pretest and posttest sleep quality scores (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that prenatal massage is an effective, safe, and evidence-based complementary intervention for improving sleep quality among third-trimester pregnant women. The study supports the integration of prenatal massage into routine antenatal care to enhance maternal comfort and promote better maternal health outcomes during pregnancy.