Effects of back massage on pain and comfort after cesarean

Aim: The aim of this study to determine the effect of massage applied to the back on pain and comfort after cesarean section. Material and Method: This research was conducted between May 2019 and November 2019 in İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center Training and Research Hospital. Personal information form was used as data collection form, VAS was used to assess pain, and PPCQ was used to assess comfort. When power analysis was performed, the sample size was calculated to be at least 81 women for each group (81 experiments, 81 controls). Experimental group received deep tissue massage twice at 10th and 22nd hours after cesarean section. Data collection form for experimental and control groups before the first massage; VAS was applied four times before and after both massages. After the second massage, both groups were re-administered. Descriptive statistics and t-test in dependent-independent groups were used for data analysis. Result: The pain levels of women in the experimental group were lower than the control group in the first and second massage measurements after cesarean section and the difference between the groups was statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p <0.001). It was determined that the mean scores of total and sub-dimensions of the PPCQ in the experimental group after second massage were higher than the control group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p <0.001). Conclusion: This research's findings indicated that massage applied to the back decreased pain level and increased comfort level after cesarean section. Key Words: Back massage, comfort, midwifery, pain, postpartum period