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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00302315

Effectiveness of Physiotherapy on Postcesarean Pain and Functional Activities

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applications in early postcesarean problems.

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Key information

Conditions

Cesarean Section

Age range

19 year–42 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Hacettepe University Hospital

Ankara, 06100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy applications in early postcesarean problems which make difficulties in functional activities, and includes a physiotherapy intervention group and a control group. Physical characteristics, obstetrical and surgical histories, and systemic problems, back pain, low back pain, headache, urinary/fecal incontinence problems and bowel habit of the subjects both in pregnancy and postpartum periods are recorded. First ambulation time after cesarean, presence of syncope, related vital signs, onset time of bowel peristalsis and defecation are also recorded. Intensities of incisional pain and difficulty in performing functional activities are evaluated by daily 0-10 cm visual analogue scales (VASs). Also, intensities of back pain, low back pain, headache, bloated feeling of the abdomen, and fatigue are also evaluated by daily VASs. Physiotherapy program included breathing exercises, active joint movements of the lower limbs, posture exercises, connective tissue manipulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

cesarean section giving birth to single baby having cesarean under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

giving birth to multiple babies being followed in intensive care unit after cesarean because of complications

Treatment and study plan

Physiotherapy

Other

Thoracic expansion exercises and huffing technique Lower limb exercises TENS with frequency of 120 Hz and pulse width of 60 μs was used for 30 min in every session Connective tissue manipulation (CTM) to the sacral and lumbar regions, Education (proper use of body mechanics during baby caring and daily activities; improving posture; anatomy and functions of the pelvic floor and Knack maneouvre)

Other names: exercise, TENS, patient education and recommendations, connective tissue manipulation

Primary outcomes

  1. incisional pain intensity

    Time frame: Intensity of incision pain was evaluated daily during hospitalization period before the physiotherapy program in the study group.

    Intensity of incision pain was evaluated by horizontal 0-10 cm visual analogue scales (VASs:0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain).

  2. intensity of difficulty in functional activities

    Time frame: Intensity of difficulty in functional activities was evaluated daily during hospitalization period before the physiotherapy program in the study group.

    Intensity of difficulty in functional activities was evaluated by horizontal 0-10 cm visual analogue scales (VASs:0 = no difficulty, 10 = unable to perform the activity).

  3. first ambulation time

    Time frame: From transfer to obstetric department room to first ambulation after cesarean

    Time from transfer to obstetric department room to first ambulation after cesarean.

  4. onset time of bowel peristalsis

    Time frame: Only once when breaking gas and defecation occured after Cesarean.

    Time of breaking gas and defecation after Cesarean.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Vital signs

    Time frame: Vital signs were measured before and after first ambulation

    Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and body temperature

  2. Length of staying at the hospital and number of analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication additional to the standard pain control procedure

    Time frame: Only once before discharge from the hospital

    Length of staying at the hospital and number of analgesic/anti-inflammatory medication additional to the standard pain control procedure were recorded, and also cases were observed for any adverse effects which may be due to the physiotherapy applications.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hacettepe University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2005
Study completion
2005
First posted
Mar 14, 2006
Registry last updated
Mar 13, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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