Comparative effect of ultrasound therapy with conventional therapy on breast engorgement in immediate post-partum mothers: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Breast engorgement is, the swelling and distension of breasts, usually in the early days of initiation of lactation, due to vascular dilatation as well as the arrival of the milk. Breast engorgement occurs in 72% to 82% of lactating women. Various physiotherapeutic interventions for treatment of breast engorgement have been documented such as, Hot Moist Pack, Massage, Ultrasound. Although Ultrasound is used in the treatment of breast engorgement but literature is scarce on use of it. The objective of the present study was to comparative effectiveness of ultrasound therapy with conventional therapy on breast engorgement in immediate post-partum mothers. In randomized controlled trial, 80 post-partum mothers with breast engorgement were randomly assigned to Group A (Ultrasound therapy) and Group B (Conventional therapy) during the study period from April, 2010 to December 2010. The outcome measures used were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Hardness scale and Six-point engorgement scale (SPES). The pre-treatment and post-treatment values of outcome measures were noted on for all the four days.The intra group comparison results showed that pain on VAS, hardness score and SPES score was statistically significant in both groups. Whereas inter-group comparison results showed that VAS was statistically significant on 2 nd and 3 rd day post-intervention. Pre-intervention and post-intervention at 4 th day were statistically significant in both groups by the hardness and SPES scores. The study concluded that ultrasound therapy added with conventional therapy helps in reduction of pain with non-tender breasts which further helps the post-partum mothers to recover better from discomforts of breast engorgement. This in turn can facilitate better breast feeding.

Gua-Sha therapy on breast engorgement among Indian postnatal mothers

“…Usually in the first few days after lactation begins, brought on by vascular dilatation and the advent of early milk. Breast engorgement can also happen as a result of delayed, infrequent, or interrupted milk evacuation from the breast during the first week of breastfeeding [ 7 , 8 ]. Failure to prevent or treat milk stasis brought on by irregular or insufficient breast drainage is one of the reasons that could increase a mother's risk of engorgement [ 9 , 10 ].…”

A Study to Find the Prevalence of Breast Engorgement among Lactating Mothers

“…Usually in the early days of initiation of lactation caused by vascular dilation as well as the arrival of the early milk. Breast engorgement during the first week of breast feeding and can also occurs as a result of delayed, infrequent or interrupted removal of milk from the breast [7,8]. The factors which may place a mother at a higher risk of engorgement are failure to prevent or resolve milk stasis resulting from infrequent or inadequate drainage of the breasts [9,10].…”