A study to assess the effectiveness of foot massage on mothers after caesarean delivery on pain and anxiety in selected hospitals at Pune city

Abstract

Motherhood is a gift for every woman. Pregnancy and birth are a unique experience. Giving birth to a new life is the most painful experience in a woman’s life, though she experiences the happiness later by carrying the new-born. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of foot massage on reducing pain and anxiety levels in mothers after caesarean delivery in selected hospitals in Pune city. It seeks to determine the effectiveness of this intervention in improving postpartum recovery and overall well-being. Methodology: Quasi-experimental research design study with quantitative descriptive approach. Non probability sampling technique used to select sample of 60 mothers studying in selected hospitals of Pune city. Data collection was done by using structured knowledge questionnaire to assess knowledge and rating scale to assess attitude of teenagers. Results: Operative pain in patients who had caesarean operation at a teaching hospital, Midwest. 60 patients were selected through non probability convenience sampling. Pain intensity and pain distress was assessed by using 0 to 10 Numerical pain rating scale. The study findings showed that there was a decrease in pain intensity from 4.65 to 2.35 (t=8.154, p< 0.001) and the pain distress was reduced from 4.00 to 1.88 (t=5.683, p<0.001). Thus it becomes evident that Foot Massage is effective in reducing pain among post caesarean mothers in experimental group. Conclusion: The use of Foot massage reduces the pain among post caesarean mothers in experimental group compare to control group. Hence Foot massage was effective, in expensive, low risk, flexible and easily applied strategy for post caesarean pain management. There was a significant association found between pain and educational status of the mothers in experimental group.