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NCT Number: NCT07329309

Post-Caesarean Pranayama and Pain

This study aims to investigate the effect of pranayama breathing exercises on postoperative pain and postpartum comfort levels in women following caesarean section, with the objective of providing important evidence for the integration of non-pharmacological methods into postpartum care.

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Key information

Conditions

Postoperative Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kto Karatay University

Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

HAFİZE DAĞ TÜZMEN

CONTACT

[email protected]

05357446142

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Undergone a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia
  • Reported a post-operative pain level of at least 4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
  • Knowledge of Turkish
  • Ability to communicate effectively with the research team
  • Volunteer to participate in the study and provide written consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Having given birth by emergency caesarean section
  • Presence of pregnancy complications (e.g. pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia)
  • History of chronic pain or analgesic dependence
  • Requirement for admission to the intensive care unit in the early postoperative period
  • Need for additional surgical intervention
  • Development of significant intraoperative or postoperative complications
  • Refusal to exercise or intolerance to exercise
  • Failure to comply with study procedures
  • Withdrawal of consent
  • Incomplete follow-up
  • Development of a new medical condition during the study that could affect the results

Treatment and study plan

pranayama breathing exercises

Behavioral

In this study, a pranayama breathing exercise protocol lasting approximately 14-15 minutes will be applied, aiming to increase relaxation and physiological well-being. Participants will prepare for the exercise in a supported and comfortable sitting position, breathing through the nose. The protocol consists of 3 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing, 5 minutes of alternate nostril breathing (Nadī Shodhana), 3 minutes of Ujjayi breathing, and 3 minutes of long, slow exhalation techniques. The exercises will be conducted with one-on-one guidance by a trained researcher; participants' comfort and any signs of discomfort will be monitored, and the exercise will be terminated if necessary.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from Baseline Post-Cesarean Postoperative Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Pain assessments will be repeated at 6, 12, 24 hours postoperatively in both groups.

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm horizontal line where 0 indicates "no pain" and 10 indicates "worst imaginable/unbearable pain." Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.

    Pain scores will be recorded at baseline (preoperative) and at predefined postoperative time points. The outcome measure is defined as the change in VAS pain score from baseline.Pain will be assessed with a 10 cm visual analog scale "0" means no pain and "10" means unbearable pain. The assessment will be done before and at the end of the study.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postnatal Comfort Level

    Time frame: Comfort assessments will be repeated at 6, 12, 24 hours postoperatively in both groups.

    Postnatal comfort will be assessed using the Postnatal Comfort Survey, a validated instrument designed to evaluate physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental comfort in the postpartum period.

    Higher scores indicate greater postnatal comfort. Accordingly, the lowest score that can be obtained on the scale is 34, and the highest score is 170.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

KTO Karatay University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Post-Caesarean Section Pranayama Breathing Exercises on Pain and Postpartum Comfort: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 9, 2026

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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