Clinical Research Directory

Does the Volume of Medication Affect the Success of Labor Epidural Analgesia

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether changing the volume and concentration of a medication affects the quality of pain relief and the side effects associated with labor epidural analgesia.

Postpartum Effects of Mirror Therapy During Labor

Today, childbirth is considered one of the most physically and psychologically intense experiences in a woman's life. Labor is a critical period during which fear, anxiety, and stress related to childbirth may increase, potentially affecting both the course of labor and postpartum emotional well-being. Supportive approaches implemented during this period may contribute to a more positive perception of the childbirth experience and enhance postpartum well-being. Mirror therapy is a non-pharmacological approach that enables individuals to visually perceive their own bodies and the ongoing process, thereby strengthening self-perception and promoting positive body awareness. The use of mirror therapy during labor may increase women's active participation in the childbirth process and enhance their sense of control. It may also support emotional well-being and reduce negative emotional states during the postpartum period. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy administered during labor on postpartum pain, mood, and emotional well-being. The findings are expected to contribute to strengthening midwifery support during childbirth, integrating non-pharmacological approaches into clinical practice, promoting their wider use, and protecting women's psychological well-being. Thus, the study is expected to provide scientific evidence that may inform midwifery education and practice as well as postpartum care policies.

Can Labor Pain be Reduced by Open Placebo Intervention? A Bayesian Account for Labor Pain

The human nervous system continuously processes a potentially overwhelming stream of signals from bodily senses, which induces uncertainty. To reduce this uncertainty, the brain transforms sensory input into a reliable perception of the world. According to the Bayesian hypothesis of perception, based on probabilistic estimation, conscious perception is shaped by both the current state of sensory information and by past experiences, associative learning, stored memories, and beliefs. This framework is particularly relevant for explaining the phenomenon of pain, including individual differences in pain perception and response. The focus of the present work is pain during childbirth, representing a major acute pain event. Pain during childbirth is a complex and unique experience with both sensory and emotional components, embedded within a defined physiological process. A key concept of the Bayesian model related to pain perception is the placebo phenomenon, which offers a compelling explanation for the analgesic placebo response. The overarching aim of this study is to evaluate whether the Bayesian model can account for changes in pain perception during labor following open placebo administration, as well as the involvement of expectations and personality traits. The study will be conducted at Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, with the participation of 120 pregnant women. The research will be divided into two stages. The first stage will occur during the prenatal period, while participants are in a pain-free state. During this stage, questionnaires will be completed to assess expectations and personality traits, and the Focused Analgesia Selection Test (FAST) will be administered to evaluate within-subject variability in pain intensity. The second stage will take place during labor and will involve an open placebo intervention, during which pain levels and analgesic consumption will be monitored.