Foot reflexology as a complementary therapy for improving lactation and alleviating post-cesarean pain: A randomized controlled study.
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Reflexology, a non-invasive complementary therapy, is increasingly recognized for its potential to alleviate postoperative discomfort and promote relaxation. With the rising rates of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries in India, concerns have emerged regarding postoperative challenges such as surgical pain and delayed lactation, both of which significantly affect maternal and infant well-being. Reflexology may offer supportive benefits in addressing these concerns. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foot reflexology in enhancing lactation and reducing postoperative pain among post-cesarean mothers. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 primiparous mothers who underwent C-section. Participants were allocated to either the control group (n = 40) or the experimental group (n = 40). Mothers in the experimental group received foot reflexology twice daily for three consecutive days, in addition to routine care. Lactation status was assessed using the LATCH tool, while postoperative pain was measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in lactation status, with mean scores increasing from 4.73 ± 1.037 to 8.68 ± 1.047, compared to 4.28 ± 1.198 to 6.75 ± 1.495 in the control group (t = 6.661, p < 0.001). Post-in
Abstract
Reflexology, a non-invasive complementary therapy, is increasingly recognized for its potential to alleviate postoperative discomfort and promote relaxation. With the rising rates of cesarean section (C-section) deliveries in India, concerns have emerged regarding postoperative challenges such as surgical pain and delayed lactation, both of which significantly affect maternal and infant well-being. Reflexology may offer supportive benefits in addressing these concerns. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foot reflexology in enhancing lactation and reducing postoperative pain among post-cesarean mothers. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 primiparous mothers who underwent C-section. Participants were allocated to either the control group (n = 40) or the experimental group (n = 40). Mothers in the experimental group received foot reflexology twice daily for three consecutive days, in addition to routine care. Lactation status was assessed using the LATCH tool, while postoperative pain was measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in lactation status, with mean scores increasing from 4.73 ± 1.037 to 8.68 ± 1.047, compared to 4.28 ± 1.198 to 6.75 ± 1.495 in the control group (t = 6.661, p < 0.001). Post-intervention mean pain scores were lower in the experimental group (4.75) compared to the control group (7.65), also achieving statistical significance (p < 0.001). Foot reflexology was effective in enhancing lactation and reducing postoperative pain in mothers following C-section. Incorporating reflexology into standard postnatal care may serve as a valuable complementary approach to support maternal recovery and improve breastfeeding outcomes.