Two methods of foot reflexology and Benson relaxation on pain and analgesics received by women undergoing caesarean section: a randomized clinical trial

Despite the adverse effects of post-caesarean pain relievers, few studies have compared non-pharmacological methods of pain control. The present study was conducted with aim to compare the effects of foot reflexology and Benson's relaxation on pain levels in women candidates for caesarean section.

This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted in 2019-2020 on 135 women candidates for caesarean section in Persian Gulf Martyrs hospital, Bushehr. The participants were selected via convenience sampling and divided into three groups using block randomization: reflexology, Benson's relaxation, and control. In the reflexology and Benson's relaxation groups, the intervention was performed two hours post-operation and six hours after the first time. Pain levels were measured using a visual pain scale immediately, 30 and 60 minutes after the procedure. The amount of pain medication was also recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 19) and chi-square, Fisher's exact, One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Before the intervention, the mean pain ranks were not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). Immediately, 30 and 60 min after the intervention, the mean pain ranks were significantly lower in the two intervention groups than the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences among the three groups in pethidine intake (P=0.193). However, the control group received significantly higher amounts of ketorolac and diclofenac when compared to the two intervention groups (P<0.05).

Reflexology and Benson's relaxation techniques can reduce post-cesarean pain and analgesics. Therefore, nurses can use these two non- pharmacological pain control methods.