Effect of Foot Reflexology on Postpartum Afterpains

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Pain, Labor

Treatments: Other: Reflexology; Other: placebo reflexology; Other: general foot massage

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06951750

P.T.REC/012/005673

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will be conducted to determine the effect of foot reflexology on afterpains after normal labor.

Full description

Afterpains are among the most prevalent complaints after natural vaginal delivery. Non-pharmacological treatment modalities to relieve afterpains are an important care priority as they can lead to maternal and neonatal complications including anxiety, sleep disturbances, emotional disorders, depression, inability to care for the baby and continue breastfeeding, delays in early breastfeeding, reduced maternal ability to perform daily chores.

It was reported that pain in the early hours postpartum is one of the most important factors contributing to chronic postpartum pain and depression. Furthermore, pain and stress increase adrenaline release and decrease oxytocin release, thus leading to the cessation of the oxytocin reflex and disrupting breast milk production in addition to causing discomfort for the mother.

Since afterpains is a common problem that affects the physical and mental well-being of mothers, it requires the attention of healthcare providers. There is only one study that investigated the effect of reflexology on the pain level of afterpains after normal vaginal delivery. Moreover, no study investigated the effect of reflexology on either the behavioral response toward pain or the pressure pain threshold. Therefore, this study will be conducted to provide physiotherapists with updated scientific Knowledge concerning the effect of foot reflexology on afterpains after normal labor. This Study may expand the role of physiotherapy in women's health.

Enrollment: 36 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 35 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• They will be multipara (2-3).
• They will be normal vaginal labor

Exclusion criteria

• High-risk pregnancy.
• Post-partum hemorrhage.
• Neonatal birth weight over 4 kg.
• Over distension of the uterus.
• Cesarean section.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

Reflexology group

Experimental group

Description:

The participants will receive reflexology on foot and on specific uterine points in the first hour post-partum and will be repeated in the second hour post-partum

Treatment:

Other: general foot massage

Other: Reflexology

Placebo reflexology

Active Comparator group

Description:

The participants will receive reflexology on foot and on heel (placebo points) in the first hour post-partum and will be repeated in the second hour post-partum

Treatment:

Other: general foot massage

Other: placebo reflexology