Foot reflexology as a complementary therapy for improving lactation and alleviating post-cesarean pain: A randomized...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Postnatal Care

Background:

• Cesarean section (C-section) rates are increasing, leading to postoperative challenges like pain and delayed lactation.
• These challenges impact maternal well-being and infant feeding.
• Reflexology is a non-invasive therapy explored for its potential benefits in managing postoperative discomfort and promoting relaxation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of foot reflexology in enhancing lactation.
• To assess the impact of foot reflexology on reducing postoperative pain in mothers following C-section.
• To determine if reflexology can be integrated into standard postnatal care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 80 primiparous mothers post-C-section.
• Participants were divided into an experimental group (foot reflexology + routine care) and a control group (routine care only).
• Lactation was measured using the LATCH tool, and pain was assessed via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved lactation scores (mean increase from 4.73 to 8.68) compared to the control group (4.28 to 6.75).
• Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the reflexology group (mean 4.75) than in the control group (mean 7.65).
• Statistical significance (p < 0.001) was achieved for both lactation and pain outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Foot reflexology is an effective intervention for enhancing lactation and alleviating postoperative pain in mothers after C-section.
• Integrating reflexology into standard postnatal care can support maternal recovery.
• This therapy shows promise for improving breastfeeding outcomes and overall maternal well-being.