Effect of Hoku point massage on postpartum afterpains intensity among multiparous women

Abstract

Afterpains are high prevalent complaints. They lead to neuro-hormonal stress responses. Hoku point massage is used to relieve afterpains. Objective: determine the effect of Hoku point massage on postpartum afterpains intensity among multiparous women. Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was conducted at El-Shatby Maternity Hospital. A purposive sample of 100 women who were meeting the inclusion criteria. The control group was receiving routine hospital care and the experimental group was receiving Hoku point massage. Results: statistically significant difference was found between the control and experimental group regarding socio-demographic and reproductive data as well as physiological stability, as evidenced by vital signs, while there was a highly statically significant difference between the control and experimental groups in the favor of Hoku point massage. Conclusions and recommendations: Hoku point massage was effective in the reduction of postpartum afterpains intensity. multiparous women who receive Hoku point massage showed observable behaviors indicating less afterpains intensity than those who do not receive it. Researchers recommended that strict protocols should be established in maternity care units for a comprehensive and routine assessment of afterpains. Further studies should be conducted to verify the findings of this study.