Foot massage may reduce stitching pain after childbirth, study suggests

NCT ID NCT06484309

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Kocaeli University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed trial tested whether reflexology (a type of foot massage) can reduce pain during episiotomy repair after vaginal birth. 80 women were randomly assigned to receive either reflexology plus standard local anesthesia or standard care alone. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale and a pain questionnaire. The results may show if this simple, non-drug approach helps women feel less pain during the procedure.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: reflexology (a foot massage technique)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to ease pain during episiotomy repair after childbirth.
What could go wrong: This is a small, single-site study with only 80 participants. Results may not apply to all women, and reflexology may not provide meaningful pain relief compared to standard care.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Darica Farabi Training and Research Hospital

Kocaeli, 41000, Turkey (Türkiye)
Kocaeli University

Kocaeli, 41380, Turkey (Türkiye)

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