Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran,
3 Department of Chinese and Complementary Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During the immediate post delivery period, women are particularly susceptible
to distension of the bladder. Complementary and alternative medicine is becoming an established
intervention modality within the contemporary health care system. However, very little is known
about the impact of foot reflexology on the urinary system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effect of the most popular type of complementary therapy (the foot reflexology) on first voiding time
following elective cesarean section without urinary catheter.
METHODS: This experimental study was performed on 61 pregnant women in Pastor Hospital,
Mashhad, Iran, who met the inclusion criteria. Accordingly, participants were randomly allotted to
either treatment or control groups. The intervention group received a single 20‑min foot reflexology
session at 2–3 h after the surgery. The time taken for first void was recorded by research assistant
that blinded to the allocation of groups. The findings were recorded and analyzed with the SPSS
software by using of Chi‑square, independent t‑test, Mann–Whitney, and Fisher exact methods
P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
RESULTS: Using General Linear Model (GLM) for controlling of confounding variables, the results
of t‑test showed significant differences between two groups in terms of first voiding time (P = 0.001)
following surgery.
CONCLUSION: It seems that the use of foot reflexology as a nursing care plan to prevent urinary
retention after cesarean section without urinary catheter does shorten first voiding time and increase
maternal satisfaction.
Keywords
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