Post-Caesarean Pranayama and Pain

KTO Karatay University100 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Postoperative Pain

Interventions

pranayama breathing exercisesBEHAVIORAL

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.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 35 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Kto Karatay University

Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline Post-Cesarean Postoperative Pain Intensity

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.

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

Secondary Outcomes

Postnatal Comfort Level

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.

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

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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