Postoperative Pain Reduction in “Cesarean Mothers” with Hand and Foot Massage

Abstract Objective  Experiencing the miracle of childbirth is a profound and joyous moment for every woman. However, amidst this happiness, it is important to acknowledge the physical pain associated with childbirth. As a result, there is a pressing need to address the imperative of alleviating pain in women undergoing cesarean sections. A significant number of women choose cesarean section as a means to circumvent the challenges associated with the labor process. Method  A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group pretest and posttest design was adopted in this study. Using the purposive sampling method, 60 mothers who underwent cesarean-section were selected and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. Data were collected using the baseline proforma and Numerical Pain Rating Scale. A pretest was carried out for both groups using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The intervention group received hand and foot massages for 20 minutes twice daily (morning and evening) for 3 days. After 5 minutes of intervention, both groups underwent a posttest. Results  The mean preintervention pain score on day 1 was 8.10 ± 0.61, and the mean percentage was 81, whereas the posttest mean score was 7.00 ± 0.64 and the mean percentage was 70. There was a decline in the pretest and posttest from day 2 onward. Between the pretest and posttest, pain scores showed a significant difference in the intervention group ( F -value (11&319)  = 498.32, p  = 0.001). Conclusion  Mothers who underwent cesarean section benefited from hand and foot massage. Clinical Significance  This article holds significance in the contemporary landscape, wherein a substantial number of women opt for cesarean sections due to either pregnancy complications or personal choice. The latest research outcomes contribute to mitigating pain through the implementation of nonpharmacological approaches.