Massage as adjuvant therapy in the management of post-cesarean pain and anxiety: A randomized clinical trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effect of hand and foot massage on post-cesarean pain and anxiety in primiparous women.
Results Summary
The study found significant reductions in pain intensity and anxiety levels immediately and 90 minutes after massage, along with improvements in blood pressure and respiration rate. Breastfeeding frequency also increased significantly post-massage.
Population
156 primiparous women who underwent elective cesarean section.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (hand and foot massage or foot massage only).
Duration
Immediate and 90-minute post-intervention assessments.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
hand and foot massage | decrease | intensity of pain | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | A significant reduction was observed | #1 |
massage | decrease | blood pressure | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | changes in some of the physiological parameters, including blood pressure and respiration rate, were significant | #2 |
massage | decrease | respiration rate | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | changes in some of the physiological parameters, including blood pressure and respiration rate, were significant | #3 |
massage | no change | pulse rate | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | this change was not significant | #4 |
massage | decrease | level of anxiety | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | A significant reduction was also observed | #5 |
massage | increase | frequency of breastfeeding | primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section | - | a significant increase | #6 |
OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to determine the effect of massage on post-cesarean pain and anxiety. METHODS: The present single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 156 primiparous women undergone elective cesarean section. The participants were randomly divided into three groups, including a hand and foot massage group, a foot massage group and a control group (n = 52 per group). The patients' intensity of pain, vital signs and anxiety level were measured before, immediately after and 90 min after the massage. RESULTS: A significant reduction was observed in the intensity of pain immediately and 90 min after massage (P < 0.001). Moreover, changes in some of the physiological parameters, including blood pressure and respiration rate, were significant after massage (P < 0.001); however, this change was not significant for pulse rate. A significant reduction was also observed in the level of anxiety (P < 0.001) and a significant increase in the frequency of breastfeeding (P < 0.001) after massage. CONCLUSION: As an effective nursing intervention presenting no side-effects, hand and foot massage can be helpful in the management of postoperative pain and stress.