- Author:
Renante Dante G. Tan
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Hand reflexology; Postpartum pain; Experimental; Maternal and child nursing; Nursing intervention
- MeSH: Human; Female; Adult; Massage; Philippines
- From: Philippine Journal of Nursing 2014;84(1):61-67
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
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Abstract:
In every 10 seconds, there is a woman who is giving birth around the globe and what binds them is the pain that goes through with the birthing process. This study aims to determine effects of hand reflexology in reducing postpartum pain as measured by comparing pain level between control and study group after establishing comparability of the two groups based on age, parity, income and work status. Furthermore, this study explores the experiences of mother's postpartum pain after receiving an intervention. The results should give nurses an alternative means in decreasing postpartum pain. This study makes use of a pretest and posttest control group design with a qualitative data on the experience of pain after receiving an intervention obtained through interview among mothers within 24 hours post-delivery. Respondents were randomly selected wherein study groups (n=10) received a minute hand reflexology massage (ROM, pressure, thumb walking) while the control group (n=10) received to intervention. Pain level was measured using a numeric pain scale rating. Chi-square and pooled t-test was used to infer study findings. No significant difference was noted on the demographic profile in terms of age (p-value of 0.31), parity (0.36), income (0.65), and work status (0.61) between the study and control group thus variability of the respondents profile was controlled thereby reducing extraneous variables to affect study findings. Pain decreased significantly before and after in the study group (p value 0.01) but not in the control group (p value 0.21). Likewise, comparing study and control group did show significant result (p value 0.01). Qualitatively, a linear transition emerges from experiencing discomfort to comfort. Quantitatively, this study supports empirical evidence that hand reflexology massage is effective in reducing postpartum pain. Overall, respondents were satisfied and comforted with hand reflexology as an intervention. Further research on its longitudinal effect on relieving postpartum pain needs to be established after receiving an intervention.
- Full text:47 pjn.pdf