The Effect of Reflexology on Lactation in Women Who Had Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sevde Aksu ◽  
Pelin Palas Karaca

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (<i>n</i> = 30) and control groups (<i>n</i> = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Samah Nasser Abd El-Aziz El-Shora ◽  
Amina Mohamed Rashad El-Nemer

Background and aim: Hypotension during cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia has been a subject of scientific study for more than 50 years and the search for the most effective strategy to achieve hemodynamic stability remains challenging. Aim: The study was carried out to apply leg wrapping technique for the prevention of spinal-induced hypotension (SIH) during CS.Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial design was utilized at cesarean delivery operating room Mansoura General Hospital in El-Mansoura City during the period from May 2018 to November 2018. A purposive sample of 88 pregnant women, assigned randomly to an intervention group (n = 44) in which their legs wrapped with elastic crepe bandage and control group (n = 44) in which no wrapping was done. Data collected for maternal, neonatal hemodynamic and signs of hypotension, the feasibility of application and cost analysis.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of SIH and Ephedrine use among both groups (18.20% in leg wrapping group whereas 75% in control group). In addition, neonatal acidosis and NICU admission were less among leg wrapping group (11.40%, 9.10% respectively). Economically, leg wrapping technique was cost effective compared to the cost of the hospital regimen for treating SIH and admission to (NICU).Conclusion and recommendations: Leg wrapping technique was cost effective and an efficient method for decreasing SIH, neonatal acidosis and Ephedrine administration. It is recommended to apply leg wrapping technique in maternal hospitals' protocol of care for decreasing SIH during CS.


Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 204
Author(s):  
Anissa Aharaz ◽  
Jens Henning Rasmussen ◽  
Helle Bach Ølgaard McNulty ◽  
Arne Cyron ◽  
Pia Keinicke Fabricius ◽  
...  

Medication deprescribing is essential to prevent inappropriate medication use in multimorbid patients. However, experience of deprescribing in Danish Subacute Medical Outpatient Clinics (SMOCs) is limited. The objective of our pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and sustainability of a collaborative deprescribing intervention by a pharmacist and a physician to multimorbid patients in a SMOC. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted, with phone follow-up at 30 and 365+ days. A senior pharmacist performed a systematic deprescribing intervention using the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ potentially inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) criteria, the Danish deprescribing list, and patient interviews. A senior physician received the proposed recommendations and decided which should be implemented. The main outcome was the number of patients having ≥1 medication where deprescribing status was sustained 30 days after inclusion. Out of 76 eligible patients, 72 (95%) were included and 67 (93%) completed the study (57% male; mean age 73 years; mean number of 10 prescribed medications). Nineteen patients (56%) in the intervention group and four (12%) in the control group had ≥1 medication where deprescribing status was sustained 30 days after inclusion (p = 0.015). In total, 37 medications were deprescribed in the intervention group and five in the control group. At 365+ days after inclusion, 97% and 100% of the deprescribed medications were sustained in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The three most frequently deprescribed medication groups were analgesics, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal medications. In conclusion, a collaborative deprescribing intervention for multimorbid patients was feasible and resulted in sustainable deprescribing of medication in a SMOC.


Author(s):  
Reena Wilma Frank ◽  
Kaipangala Raja Gopal ◽  
Devina E Rodrigues

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a common medical problem that is very often seen in pregnancy in the present era. Pregnant women should keep in mind their health and lifestyle considerations or else pregnancy will end up with many complications. Pre-existing factors and pregnancy factors will be contributing and make pregnancy more complicated. Exercises are recommended as a healthy practice which prevents many diseases and provides a healthy life. Aim: To evaluate the glycaemic level by focusing on exercises to improve the maternal outcome. Materials and Methods: A Pilot study with Quasi-experimental pre-post control group design with 30 Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) women (15 in each group) were selected who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was conducted in tertiary care Hospital between June 2019 and December 2019. Based on the convenience sampling technique, the setting was selected and a simple random technique was adopted to select the subjects. The 15 subjects were included in each groups, both intervention and control group. Exercises were taught for the interventional group of women for 12 weeks. Regular treatment was continued for both groups which include medication, diet and regular walking. Pre-test and post-test glycaemic scores were done for both the groups. Mann-whitney test, ANOVA, post-hoc test, paired Eta square were also used and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used. Results: The study shows there was a significant difference in the pre-Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and post FBS values in the intervention group p-value <0.027. The paired Eta square value was 0.303 which showed a moderate effect of the exercise on the glycaemic value in the interventional group. There was a significant difference in the pre glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and post HbA1c values in both the intervention and control group was p-value <0.023 and p-value <0.025, respectively. The maternal outcome shows increased severity of the complications in the control group while comparing with the intervention group such as pre-eclampsia, operative interference, and preterm deliveries. But there was no significant difference in the maternal outcome observed between intervention and control group p-value >0.05. Conclusion: Regular moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise training during pregnancy is associated with lower blood glucose level. Thus, study concluded that exercise has a moderate effect on glycaemic control.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 2272-2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel de Melo Boff ◽  
Marina Alves Dornelles ◽  
Ana Maria Pandolfo Feoli ◽  
Andreia da Silva Gustavo ◽  
Margareth da Silva Oliveira

The randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change on anthropometric, metabolic and motivational outcomes in obese adolescents. A total of 135 male and female adolescents were randomized to two groups: intervention group ( n = 65) and control group ( n = 70). The adolescents were evaluated 1 week before the interventions began and at the end of 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the outcome variables. Intervention group reported magnitude of effect more expressive on body mass index percentile, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, readiness to change diet and readiness to start exercise.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Amirhossein Erfani ◽  
Zohre Khodamoradi ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Gholampoor Saadi ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundAlthough almost a year has passed since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and promising reports of vaccines have been presented, we still have a long way until these measures are available for all. Furthermore, unsolved issues remained to choose appropriate corticosteroids treatment for COVID-19. We conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of methylprednisolone treatment versus dexamethasone for hospitalized COVID-19 patients.MethodIn this prospective triple-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from August to November 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either methylprednisolone (2mg/kg/day) or dexamethasone (6mg/kg/day). Data was assessed based on a 9-point WHO ordinal scale extending from uninfected (point 0) to death (point 8).ResultsThere was no significant variation among the groups on the admission. However, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better clinical status compared to the control group at day 5 (4.02 vs. 5.21, P = 0.002) and day 10 (2.90 vs. 4.71, P = 0.001) of admission. There was also a significant difference in the overall mean score between the intervention group, and the control group, (3.909 vs. 4.873 respectively, P = 0.004). The mean length of hospital stay was 7.43 ± 3.64 and 10.52 ± 5.47 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.015). The need for a ventilator was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (18.2% vs 38.1% P = 0.040).ConclusionIn the context of treating hospitalized hypoxic COVID-19 patients, methylprednisolone demonstrated better results compared to dexamethasone.Trial Registration:The trial was registered with IRCT.IR (08/04/2020-No. IRCT20200204046369N1).


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Somayeh Mahdavikian ◽  
Masoud Fallahi ◽  
Alireza Khatony

Background and Objectives. There is limited and contradictory evidence about the effect of aromatherapy with peppermint and lavender essential oils on the fatigue of cardiac patients. Therefore, the present study was aimed to compare the effect of aromatherapy with peppermint and lavender essential oils on fatigue in cardiac patients. Methods. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 105 cardiac patients. They were randomly divided into three groups: peppermint essential oil (n = 35), lavender essential oil (n = 35), and control (n = 35). Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to collect data. The intervention was performed for 7 nights. Before and after the intervention, the questionnaire was completed by all patients. In each intervention group, patients inhaled 3 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oils. In the control group, patients inhaled 3 drops of aromatic placebo. Results. The results showed the average fatigue decreased in the study groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of lavender and peppermint in terms of mean fatigue after the intervention. However, there was a statistically significant difference between lavender and control groups ( P < 0.001 ), as well as peppermint and control groups ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. Aromatherapy with peppermint and lavender essential oils can reduce the fatigue of cardiac patients, so the use of these fragrances is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Mohammadpour ◽  
Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh Charandabi ◽  
Jamileh Malakouti ◽  
Mehriar Nadar Mohammadi ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Abstract Background Pregnancy is a challenging period for mothers and fathers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of counseling on stress and anxiety levels of fathers. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 102 spouses of pregnant women in Ardabil, Iran. The participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended four 60-min counseling sessions at weekly intervals. The perceived stress and anxiety questionnaires were completed before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results The mean scores of state anxiety in the intervention group decreased significantly 4 weeks after the intervention compared with the control group (MD: -2.4; 95%CI: − 4.7 to − 0.2; p = 0.030). Four weeks after the intervention, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of trait anxiety (p = 0.472) and perceived stress (p = 0.635). Conclusions The findings indicate that counseling reduced state anxiety in expectant fathers; therefore, this intervention is recommended to be used to reduce fathers’ anxiety. Trial registration IRCT2017042910324N38. Registered 25 June 2017


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽  
Mahin Kamalifard ◽  
Reyhaneh Ivanbagha

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the effect of distraction techniques on labor pain and stress (primary outcomes), fear of childbirth, and length of delivery stages (secondary outcomes). Methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 pregnant women. Participants were allocated into two intervention and control groups by blocked randomization. Participants in the intervention group received distraction techniques in four sessions. Questionnaires of Fear of Childbirth (W-DEQ version A) and PSS once were completed before intervention and again at the 36th week for the W-DEQ and in the active phase for the PSS through interviews. The pain was assessed through VAS during active phase per hour. The length of delivery stages was recorded in the partograph chart. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and ANCOVA. Results The mean of perceived stress during labor in the intervention group was significantly less than that of the control group (AMD: -3.2; 95% CI: -0.8 to -6.0; P= 0.01). The mean (SD) of pain intensity was 6.2 (1.4) and 7.5 (1.4) in the intervention and control groups, respectively, which indicated a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Although the mean score of fear in 36th week in the intervention group (29.1) was less than of the control group (39.1), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P= 0.170). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the length of the delivery stages (P>0.05). Conclusion According to the results, distraction techniques can reduce the pain and stress of labor, but further studies are needed to reach a decisive conclusion.


Author(s):  
Seyedmohammad Mirhosseini ◽  
Ali Abbasi ◽  
Nastaran Norouzi ◽  
Fatemeh Mobaraki ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Basirinezhad ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Many women in recent years have been willing to undergo puncture surgery for childbirth, which, like other surgeries, has physical and psychological side effects such as incision, infertility, chronic pain, and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to reduce and improve these side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot massage with orange essential oil on pain and anxiety in women undergoing cesarean section. Methods This randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2019 on 80 women referred to Bahar Shahroud Hospital after cesarean section surgery. The samples were divided into two groups by intervention (foot massage with orange essential oil) and control (foot massage without orange essential oil). The Spielberger scale was used to determine anxiety scores after cesarean section. In the intervention group, the feet were massaged with orange essential oil, and in the control group, the orange essential oil massage was performed without oil. Anxiety before, immediately after, and 60 min after the intervention was measured and evaluated in both groups. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant levels were considered for all statistical tests (p<0.05). Results The anxiety score before the intervention in the two groups of intervention and control was 57.12 ± 3.12 and 57.07 ± 3.54, respectively, which were not significantly different, but immediately after the intervention, the anxiety scores in both groups decreased significantly so that there was a further decrease in the intervention group (52.10 ± 4.75 and 56.02 ± 3.77), 1 h after the intervention, the anxiety score in the intervention group decreased compared to the previous stage and increased in the control group (50.40 ± 3.74 and 56.85 ± 4.27). Conclusions Foot massage with orange essential oil can probably be effective as a proper nursing intervention in reducing anxiety after cesarean section surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keivan Ranjbar ◽  
Mohsen Moghadami ◽  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Javad Fallahi ◽  
Vahid Khaloo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although almost a year has passed since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and promising reports of vaccines have been presented, we still have a long way until these measures are available for all. Furthermore, the most appropriate corticosteroid and dose in the treatment of COVID-19 have remained uncertain. We conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of methylprednisolone treatment versus dexamethasone for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods In this prospective triple-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from August to November 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day; intervention group) or dexamethasone (6 mg/kg/day; control group). Data were assessed based on a 9-point WHO ordinal scale extending from uninfected (point 0) to death (point 8). Results There were no significant differences between the groups on admission. However, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better clinical status compared to the control group at day 5 (4.02 vs. 5.21, p = 0.002) and day 10 (2.90 vs. 4.71, p = 0.001) of admission. There was also a significant difference in the overall mean score between the intervention group and the control group, (3.909 vs. 4.873 respectively, p = 0.004). The mean length of hospital stay was 7.43 ± 3.64 and 10.52 ± 5.47 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.015). The need for a ventilator was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (18.2% vs 38.1% p = 0.040). Conclusion In hospitalized hypoxic COVID-19 patients, methylprednisolone demonstrated better results compared to dexamethasone. Trial registration The trial was registered with IRCT.IR (08/04/2020-No. IRCT20200204046369N1).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document