Effect of Foot Reflexology on Postpartum Afterpains
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Reflexology, placebo reflexology, general foot massage.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Pain, Labor. Basic parameters: 20 years — 35 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
This study will be conducted to determine the effect of foot reflexology on afterpains after normal labor.
Detailed 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.
Interventions
- Other Reflexology
The participants will receive two minutes of specific reflexology on each point of the uterus, pituitary, and solar plexus in the form of rotational pressures. This will be performed in the first hour post-partum and will be repeated in the second hour post-partum - Other placebo reflexology
The participants will receive rotational pressures on a neutral point on the lateral side of the heel (placebo point) for six minutes. This will be performed in the first hour post-partum and will be repeated in the second hour post-partum - Other general foot massage
The participants will receive a general massage on each foot for four minutes. This will be performed in the first hour post-partum and will be repeated in the second hour post-partum
Primary outcome measures
- Assessment of pain intensity [Time frame: 4 hours]
- Modified version of chamber price pain Rating Scale [Time frame: 4 hours]
- Pressure pain threshold (PPT): [Time frame: 4 hours]
Eligibility criteria
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.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Hala Ismail Mahmoud — Cairo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06951750 · P.T.REC/012/005673