Physiotherapeutic interventions in the immediate postpartum period after cesarean section for prevention and relief of pain: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Background It is estimated that almost all women undergoing cesarean section experience some pain in the immediate postpartum period. In the face of pain that limits self-care and care for the newborn, antalgic postures can be adopted that can increase the painful sensation. Evidence indicates that physiotherapeutic interventions using non-pharmacological resources can help manage pain complaints and promote greater quality of life during this period. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physiotherapeutic interventions for preventing and relieving pain in women in the immediate postpartum period following a cesarean section. Methods Randomized, parallel, and open clinical trial, with postpartum women over 15 years of age, underwent cesarean section more than 8 h ago, hemodynamically stable, conscious, oriented, in good clinical condition as per progress in the medical record, after having had the bladder catheter removed and having fed after surgery, admitted to rooming-in wards at the time of allocation. Postpartum women will be allocated up to 24 h after the cesarean section to ensure the feasibility of follow-up. Through simple randomization, the postpartum women will be allocated into two groups: intervention and control. The randomization lists will be organized by a center, which will manage the allocation groups and will be prepared using the Social Package for the Social Sciences program, version 23.0. Women allocated to the intervention group will receive a protocol of physiotherapeutic interventions to prevent and relieve pain in women in the immediate postpartum period following a cesarean section, and those in the control group will receive standard care at the study center. The primary outcome will consist of post-cesarean pain scores 24 h after allocation, measured using the Visual Analog Pain Scale. Discussion Suppose the effectiveness of the physiotherapeutic interventions is proven based on the protocol developed for the study. In that case, it can be applied in the immediate postpartum period following a cesarean section, with the potential for preventing and relieving pain. Trial registration REBEC RBR-84pqzdw (UTN: U1111-1308-5716). Registered on June 08, 2024.