NCT06951750

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Postpartum Afterpains

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Cairo University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 20 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Pain, Labor

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-30
• Primary completion: 2025-06-30
• Completion: 2025-07-15
• First posted: 2025-04-30
• Last updated: 2025-04-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt