Completeness of reporting of perineal massage in the second stage of labour: a STRICTOTM-based commentary on a published randomized controlled trial

Perineal massage during the second stage of labour may helps to reduce perineal trauma, but incomplete reporting of intervention procedures can limit reproducibility and interpretation. This commentary applies the STandards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials Of Tuina/Massage (STRICTOTM) framework to a published randomised controlled trial evaluating intrapartum perineal massage in 450 nulliparous women. The checklist was adapted to reflect the characteristics of obstetric perineal massage, and 16 subitems were assessed using the published report. Five subitems were reported, seven were partially reported, and four were not reported. None of the seven core items was fully reported. Although the report adequately described participant positioning, massage location, direction, and aspects of technique, important details concerning lubricant type, intervention duration, number of applications, provider training, procedural standardisation, and safety precautions were missing or incomplete. These findings highlight opportunities to improve intervention reporting. Using STRICTOTM alongside CONSORT may enhance transparency, reproducibility, and evidence synthesis in future trials of intrapartum perineal massage. Not applicable.