The trends and hotspots of research on non-pharmacological interventions for labor pain management: a bibliometric analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine important points of focus, trends, and depth of research on non-pharmacological interventions for the management of labor pain worldwide from a macro perspective and present an extensive definition of research fields regarding non-pharmacological interventions. METHODS: Bibliometric methods were used in this study. With comprehensive keyword lists, the Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using different screening strategies for publications made until 25 February 2023. RESULTS: Studies on non-pharmacological interventions in the management of labor pain have continued to develop since 2003 with great momentum. In this study, the most productive country in research on non-pharmacological interventions was found to be Iran, while Australia, the USA, China, and the United Kingdom were the most notable ones in terms of collaboration. The most prevalently studied non-pharmacological interventions were hydrotherapy and acupuncture. The results of the co-word analysis revealed 5 main themes about this field of research. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that interest in studies on non-pharmacological interventions in the management of labor pain has increased, the quality of research in the field is high, international collaboration is increasingly higher, and technological approaches have started to emerge in relevant studies.

The Effects Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Applied in the Early Postpartum Period After Cesarean Birth on Healing, Pain, and Comfort.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied in the early postpartum period after cesarean birth on incision site healing, postoperative recovery, pain, and comfort. METHODS: This randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 138 women (TENS group n = 46, placebo group n = 46, control group n = 46) who gave birth by cesarean between January and September 2023. TENS was applied twice at a frequency of 100 Hz with a pulse width of 100 microseconds, at 10 to 12 and 14 to 16 hours after birth, for 30 minutes each. Outcomes were measured with the Postoperative Recovery Index; Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation Scale; Visual Analogue Scale; and Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire. Outcomes between groups were compared postintervention, correcting for baseline using analysis of covariance. The study was registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT05991921). RESULTS: Mean scores for postoperative recovery were significantly lower (improved) in the TENS group (113.58) compared with the placebo and control groups (134.67, 136.61; P < .001). The postoperative recovery subscales (psychological symptoms, physical activities, appetite symptoms, bowel symptoms, general symptoms) were also significantly decreased in the TENS group compared with the placebo and control groups. Similarly, mean scores for postpartum comfort, and the corresponding physical comfort, psychospiritual comfort, and sociocultural comfort subscales, were significantly improved in the TENS group (110.26) compared with the placebo and control group (83.80, 81.19; P < .05). DISCUSSION: TENS application can be preferred as an alternative method to increase pain control, recovery, and patient comfort after cesarean birth.

The effect of cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques on infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What effects do training programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) techniques applied to infertile women affected psychologically and emotionally by infertility have on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological development? DESIGN: This randomized controlled study was conducted between May 2021 and August 2022. The study population included 90 infertile women referred to the IVF unit of a hospital in a province in eastern Turkey: 30 in the CBT group, 30 in the EMDR group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), the Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale, the Infertility Distress Scale (IDS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Women in the experimental groups (CBT and EMDR groups) received the intervention in six sessions over 3 weeks. Pre-tests were administered to both experimental groups and the control group, and post-tests were conducted 3 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: The mean scores on the SUDS, IDS and IES-R for women in the experimental groups were significantly lower compared with those for women in the control group following the interventions (P < 0.001). The mean scores on the VoC scale and PTGI for women in the experimental groups were significantly higher compared with those for women in the control group following the interventions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of CBT and EMDR techniques reduced the negative psychological and emotional effects of infertility among infertile women.

The effect of emotional freedom technique and music applied to pregnant women who experienced prenatal loss on psychological growth, well-being, and cortisol level: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Research has shown that application of emotional freedom technique and music ensures psychological growth, increases well-being, and decreases cortisol level. PURPOSE: In the study, it was aimed to determine the effect of EFT and music applied to pregnant women who had experienced prenatal loss on their psychological growth, well-being, and cortisol level. METHODS: The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial in a city hospital in eastern Türkiye with 159 pregnant women, 53 of whom were in the EFT, 53 in the music group, and 53 in the control group. The study data were collected through Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), Subjective Units of Experience (SUE) Scale, Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and saliva samples were taken for cortisol evaluation. EFT was applied to the women two times every other week; the women in the music group listened to music two times every other week. Throughout the week following the first intervention, the women continued the interventions at home. RESULTS: It was determined that EFT and music significantly decreased the participants' subjective anxiety and salivary cortisol median scores, the lowest anxiety was in the EFT group, and PTGI and WHO-5 Well-Being Index mean scores increased (p < 0.005). Further analyses showed that EFT was more effective in terms of increasing well-being than music (p < 0.001; a > b > c). It was determined that the anxiety levels and salivary cortisol median values of the control group were statistically significantly higher compared to the EFT and music groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that EFT and music applied to the women who had experienced prenatal loss decreased anxiety, ensured psychological growth, improved well-being, and decreased salivary cortisol level.

Bibliometrics and Visual Analysis of the Research Status and Trends of Breastfeeding in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The long- and short-term benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants are known, and the number of studies on this subject is increasing daily. This study aimed to reveal current research trends, hotspots, and future frontiers in research on breastfeeding in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The most productive institutions, influential authors, the journals with the most publications by the authors, core research teams, and keywords in Turkey in the field of breastfeeding were analyzed using bibliometric methods. Additionally, breastfeeding-related articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection between 1980 and 2022 were scanned. The collected data were analyzed with the R Bibliometrix package program and VOSviewer. RESULTS: It was determined that research on breastfeeding has accelerated since 2004, and the number of citations has increased with the number of publications. The fields of most produc- tive writers in the area were found as social pediatrics, and the most influential institutions were Istanbul University and Hacettepe University. It was determined that there was no specializa- tion in research on breastfeeding among authors distributed based on their productivity. The results also revealed the most influential articles and journals. The word analysis revealed that the breastfeeding literature in Turkey is sensitive to current developments, whereas the current status of breastfeeding, the factors affecting breastfeeding, and the effects of breastfeeding are the top areas of research. It was observed that maternal attachment and coronavirus dis- ease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-related issues have been studied more in recent years. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis contributes to understanding the current status and development of breastfeeding research in Turkey.

The effect of an attachment-based intervention program on attachment, expectation, and stress in pregnant women: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of an attachment-based intervention program (ABIP) on attachment, prenatal expectation and stress levels in pregnant women. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted in the pregnant outpatient clinics of a public hospital in Turkey. The study sample consisted of a total of 154 pregnant women (77 experimental, 77 control) at 28-38 weeks of gestation. The ABIP was applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group for 5-7 days. The ABIP included five interventions: (1) perceiving/counting fetal movements; (2) music therapy; (3) preparation for the baby; (4) writing notes/letters to the baby; and (5) watching images of the fetus/pregnancy. RESULTS: After the ABIP, pregnant women in the experimental group had higher prenatal maternal attachment and prenatal positive expectation mean scores than those in the control group, and the difference between them was statistically significant in favor of those in the experimental group (P < .001). In addition, pregnant women in the experimental group had lower prenatal negative expectation and prenatal distress mean scores than those in the control group, and the difference between them was statistically significant in favor of those in the experimental group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that ABIP is a unique and pioneering program to increase maternal-antenatal attachment and prenatal positive expectations and reducing prenatal negative expectations and distress through diverse interventions. However, further research is required to assess the effectiveness of ABIP on maternal-fetal attachment, prenatal maternal expectations, and prenatal distress.

Mapping Publication Status and Exploring Hotspots in a Research Field: Breastfeeding.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has been the subject of scientific studies for many years. Identifying the current trends and hotspots in breastfeeding research can further advance understanding in the field. RESEARCH AIM: This study aimed to review the basic and conceptual structure of the literature on breastfeeding from a macro perspective. METHODS: The dataset for this study included 8,509 articles published between 1980 and 2022 accessed through the Web of Science database. Bibliometric methods were used to assess the growth direction of the literature on breastfeeding, the publication performance by country, influential journals and articles, co-citation networks, and keywords. RESULTS: Research on breastfeeding developed slowly until the 2000s, at which point the speed of growth increased. The United States was the country in which most of the breastfeeding research was produced as well as being at the center of international collaborative networks. An examination of author productivity established that there was no specialization in breastfeeding. The results of citation and keyword analyses demonstrated that the literature on breastfeeding is sensitive to current developments, and the psychological aspects of breastfeeding have been intensively discussed, especially in recent years. Moreover, our results demonstrate that breastfeeding support programs are a distinct area if interest. Despite the abundance of research available, more studies are needed for specialization in this field. CONCLUSION: This broad overview of the field of breastfeeding research can inform the direction and advancement of the literature.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Sexual Counseling on Sexual Distress, Attitude Toward Sexuality, and Body Image Concerns in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual distress during pregnancy can cause a negative attitude toward sexuality during pregnancy, and this can be seen especially in conjunction with body image concerns. This study was conducted to determine the effects of mindfulness-based sexual counseling (MBSC) on sexual distress, attitudes toward sexuality, and body image concerns in pregnant women. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a sample of women who experienced sexual distress presenting to a Healthy Living Center in eastern Turkey. Women (N = 134) were randomly assigned to receive a 4-week, 8-session counseling program based on mindfulness (experimental group; n = 67) or treatment as usual (control group; n = 67). The primary outcome of the study, sexual distress, was assessed using the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised. Secondary outcomes included attitude toward sexuality, assessed using the Attitude Scale toward Sexuality during Pregnancy, and body image concerns, using the Body Image Concerns during Pregnancy Scale. Outcomes were compared postintervention, correcting for baseline using analysis of covariance. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04900194). RESULTS: Mean scores for sexual distress (7.69 vs 17.36; P < .001) and body image concerns (57.76 vs 73.88; P < .001) decreased significantly in the mindfulness group compared with the control group. Similarly, mean scores for attitudes toward sexuality significantly improved in the mindfulness group compared with the control group (133.52 vs 105.78; P < .05). DISCUSSION: MBSC is a promising strategy to help women experiencing sexual distress during pregnancy to reduce their levels of sexual distress, raise their positive attitudes toward sexuality, and lower their body image concerns. Larger clinical trials of MBSC are recommended to support introduction of MBSC into clinical practice.

Effects of motivational interviews on childbirth perceptions and childbirthself-efficacy in nulliparous pregnant women: a randomised-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Motivational interviews (MI) may change the perspective of birth in pregnant women by changing their negative thoughts and increasing their self-efficacy. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of MI on childbirth perceptions and childbirth self-efficacy in nulliparous pregnant women who had traumatic childbirth perceptions. METHODOLOGY: The research was carried out as a randomised-controlled trial with 166 pregnant women, including 83 experimental group and 83 control group. In the collection of data, the Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale (TCPS) and the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory (CSEI-C32) were utilised. Four sessions of MI were held with the pregnant women in the experimental group at weekly intervals whereas no initiative was applied to the pregnant women in the control group. RESULTS: As per the measurements performed after the MI held with the experimental group, it was found that the experimental group had a significantly lower mean TCPS score than the control group (p < 0.001). The experimental group also had a significantly higher mean CSEI-C32 score than the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MI can be effective in reducing the traumatic childbirth perceptions and increasing childbirth self-efficacy. However, further research is required to assess the effectiveness MI on traumatic birth perception and self-efficacy.

While the woman's perception of childbirth as a traumatic experience causes problems in the woman, baby and family.Motivational interviews are useful in increasing individuals' self-efficacy and developing positive health behaviours.The motivational interviews can be employed to attenuate the traumatic childbirth perception and enhance the childbirth self-efficacy.

The Effect of Foot Massage Applied to Turkish Women Living in Rural Areas on Sexual Distress and Sexual Self-Confidence: A Randomized Controlled Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to determine the effect of foot massage applied to women with sexual distress in rural areas on sexual distress and sexual self-confidence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted with women who applied to a family health center located in a rural area in northern Turkey and who had sexual distress. The research sample consisted of 84 women, 42 of whom were in the experimental group and 42 in the control group. While foot massage consisting of eight sessions and lasting 4 weeks was applied to the women in the experimental group, no such intervention was applied to the control group. Research data were collected by Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R) and Sexual Self-Confidence Scale (SSS). RESULTS: It was determined that the pre-intervention sexual distress and sexual self-confidence levels of the women in the experimental and control groups were similar and that the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). After the intervention, it was determined that the mean FSDS-R scores of the women in the experimental group decreased significantly, while the mean SSS score increased significantly, and the difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Foot massage can be used to reduce the level of sexual distress and increase sexual self-confidence in women with sexual distress. Health professionals who provide health services can use foot massage to positively improve sexuality in women.

Effects of prenatal breast-feeding education on postnatal breast-feeding fear in pregnant women in the COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized clinical trial.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of prenatal breast-feeding education provided to pregnant women who experience fear of breast-feeding in the COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial study was conducted with 128 pregnant women (64 in the experimental group and 64 in the control group) between November 2021 and February 2022. The data were collected via the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale to assess fear, motivation and attitudes regarding breast-feeding. The pregnant women in the experimental group were provided with and education programme on 'safe breastfeeding in the COVID-19 pandemic'. The breast-feeding education included in standard care was given to the control group after pre-test data collection was completed. RESULTS: The significant differences in the mean Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Breastfeeding Motivation Scale and Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale scores of the groups were in favour of the experimental group (P < 0.05). It was determined that in the first postnatal month, in the experimental group, the numbers of women who believed that their breast-feeding was not affected by COVID-19 and the numbers of infants solely breastmilk-fed were higher compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prenatal breast-feeding education about safe breast-feeding in the COVID-19 pandemic period can reduce fears of breast-feeding and increase motivation and approving attitudes regarding breast-feeding.

Comparison of pregnant women's anxiety, depression and birth satisfaction based, on their traumatic childbirth perceptions.

This study was conducted to identify and compare pregnant women's anxiety, depression, and birth satisfaction levels based on their traumatic childbirth perceptions. This study used a cross-sectional design. The data were collected at two stages, namely, the prenatal and postpartum stages. First, the Traumatic Childbirth Perception Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory were applied to the pregnant women. Next, in the postpartum period, the Childbirth Information Form and the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised were applied. It was found that the participants with high levels of traumatic childbirth perception had higher mean anxiety and depressive symptom scores (26.13 ± 11.30 and 16.16 ± 9.02, respectively), whereas the participants with low levels of traumatic childbirth perception had a higher mean birth satisfaction score (17.50 ± 4.91). The findings indicated that high levels of traumatic childbirth perception may lead to have anxiety and depression, while low levels of traumatic childbirth perception may enhance their birth satisfaction. IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? In the literature, it is stated that the perception of a traumatic birth can lead to permanent or long-term negative consequences in women's lives, negatively affecting their future health, subsequent birth experiences, and family relationships.What do the results of this study add? In this study, 37.7% of the participants were found to have high levels of traumatic childbirth perception. It was determined that the anxiety and depression levels of the participants with high levels of perception of traumatic birth were higher, and the levels of birth satisfaction were higher in the pregnant women with low levels of perception of traumatic birth. The results indicated that severe depressive symptoms, severe anxiety, and low levels of birth satisfaction were likely to raise traumatic childbirth perception levels in pregnant women.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The care to be given under the leadership of midwifery professionals is important in terms of reducing pregnant women's perceptions of a traumatic birth, anxiety, and depression levels and increasing their levels of birth satisfaction.

The adaptation of the Well-Being in Pregnancy (WiP) Questionnaire into Turkish: validity and reliability of a questionnaire.

This study aimed to adapt the Well-Being in Pregnancy (WiP) Questionnaire into Turkish and assess the instrument's validity and reliability in pregnant women. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied to 500 pregnant women included in Sample I, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to 386 pregnant women in Sample II. As a result of the EFA applied to Sample I, it was found that the 12-item WiP encompasses two factors (Positive Affect and Satisfaction subscale and Concerns subscale), and as a result of the CFA applied to Sample II, it was found that the scale has good fit indices (χ2/df = 1.990, p = .000, CFI = 0.95, GFI = 0.95, AGFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.04, and PCLOSE = 0.000). The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficients that were obtained as a result of the reliability analyses of the scale were found as 0.72, 0.70 and 0.60 for all items of WiP, its first subscale and its second subscale, respectively. It was found that the item-total correlations of the scale varied in the range of r = 0.44-0.55 (p < .001). In the test-retest analysis, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between the total scores of the scale obtained in two different implementations (r = 0.412, p = .024). This study supported the use of WiP as a valid and reliable instrument for Turkish pregnant women. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The Well-Being in Pregnancy (WiP) Questionnaire developed in 2017 by Alderdice et al. is a measurement tool that is used to determine the positive and negative emotions of pregnant women. This questionnaire has not been translated to other languages.What do the results of this study add? The reliability and validity of the Turkish version of WiP were found to acceptable, and two subscales were identified as the Positive Affect and Satisfaction subscale and the Concerns subscale.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This reliable and valid instrument can be used for measuring the whole spectrum of well-being rather than just poor psychological health.

Effect of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on stress, anxiety, and childbirth fear in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a live online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in preventing distress, anxiety and childbirth fear in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Designed as a randomized-controlled trial, this study was performed with the participation of pregnant women who were diagnosed with COVID-19. The sample comprised 84 pregnant women, including 42 in the experimental group and 42 in the control group. The online MBSR program composed of eight sessions and lasting four weeks was provided to the pregnant women in the experimental group, whereas such an initiative was not provided to the control group. The data were collected via the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire (CAQ). RESULTS: After the MBSR program, the mean NuPDQ, BAI and CAQ scores of the pregnant women in the experimental group were significantly lower than the mean scores of those in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The online MBSR program may be utilized to reduce the distress, anxiety and childbirth fear levels of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. By using the MBSR program, health professionals might improve the psychological well-being of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19.

Evaluation of the ways of coping with stress and the personality traits in women exposed to violence: A comparative study.

PURPOSE: To determine the stress-coping methods and personality traits of the women who were exposed to violence. DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by using a web-based online survey with 1242 women in Turkey. FINDINGS: Women who were exposed to violence used mostly emotional strategies in coping with stress. The women's personality traits did not affect whether they were victims of the violence. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is necessary to take initiatives to encourage the use of effective methods in coping with stress. Other studies should be conducted to determine the personality traits of women exposed to violence.

Psychosocial factors and health practices in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate psychosocial, demographic and obstetric factors that affect health practices in pregnancy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women selected by using random sampling in a public hospital in Turkey. The pregnant women (n = 383) completed the Health Practices Questionnaire in Pregnancy, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Multiple linear regression was used to examine predictors of participation in health practices. The variables were subjected to multiple linear regression analysis to estimate the effect of each independent variable (depression, anxiety, perceived social support, age, educational level, gestational week and parity) on the dependent variable (health practices). RESULTS: Depression and anxiety were not significantly related to gestational health practices. The multiple linear regression model showed that inadequate social support, low education level, early gestational week and high parity were significant predictors of nonengagement in favourable health practices during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with inadequate social support and specific demographic and obstetric characteristics are less likely to participate in gestational health practices. This study suggests that more attention should be paid to these groups to improve the health practices of pregnant women.

The relationship between domestic violence against women, adaptation to pregnancy and maternal-fetal antenatal attachment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the relationship between domestic violence against women, adaptation to pregnancy, and maternal-fetal antenatal attachment. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study consisted of 385 pregnant women who were referred to the antenatal clinics of a public hospital in eastern Turkey. The data were collected using the Domestic Violence against Women Scale (DVAWS), the Maternal-Fetal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS), and the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) to assess adaptation to pregnancy. FINDINGS: Pregnant women were exposed to low level of violence (Mean ± SD: 64.42 ± 5.30). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between their DVAWS and PSEQ mean scores. There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between their DVAWS and MAAS mean scores. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings show that as domestic violence against women increased, adaptation to pregnancy decreased and maternal-fetal attachment increased.

Families' Health Behavior: Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Family Health Climate Scale.

This study aims to adapting the Family Health Climate Scale (FHC Scale) into Turkish and to conduct its validity and reliability analyses. The FHC Scale consists of two subscales, the Physical Activity Scale (FHC-PA) and the Nutrition Scale (FHC-NU). The validity and reliability analyzes of the scales were done separately. The sample included 789 participants (263 students, 263 mothers, 263 fathers). The sample was randomly allocated to two groups. Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA) was performed on Sample I (132 students, 132 mothers, 132 fathers); and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) on sample II (131 students, 131 mothers, 131 fathers). As a result of the EFA it was determined that three factors FHC-PA Scale; and four factors FHC-NU Scale were included. The CFA result it was determined that scale models had good fit values. The FHC-Scale could be used as a reliable and valid measurement tool in Turkey.

Effects of deep tissue massage on pain and comfort after cesarean: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of deep tissue massage (DTM) applied by midwife on pain and comfort after cesarean section. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial conducted with experimental and control groups. The data were collected using a personal information form, visual analogue scale (VAS), the Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire (PPCQ). DTM was applied to participants in the experimental group twice (at the 10th and 22nd h) after cesarean. No applications were performed in the control group. RESULTS: According to the measurements, the mean VAS score of the mother in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group (17.51 ± 6.15, 56.16 ± 9.53; respectively) and PPCQ total and sub-dimension mean scores were found to be statistically significant in favor of the experimental group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was indicated that DTM application decreased the levels of pain and increased the comfort levels of the women who had cesarean sections.

Theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening among women with breast cancer worries: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer worries are important determinants in relation to behavior favoring breast cancer screening. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening among women with high and low levels of breast cancer worries. DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled trial, conducted in two family health centers. METHODS: In total, 285 women were recruited. Women with low levels of breast cancer worries were included in the first intervention group (112 women) and the first control group (112 women), while women with high levels of breast cancer worries were included in the second intervention group (37 women) and the second control group (43 women). Theory-based training to promote breast cancer screening was given to intervention groups. The women's willingness to undergo breast cancer screening and breast cancer worry scores were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The women in the low cancer-worry intervention group performed breast self-examination more in months 1 and 6 following the training, and the women in the high cancer-worry control group performed breast self-examination more in month 3 (P < 0.05). No difference between the women who had low or high levels of breast cancer worries were observed in relation to breast self-examination, clinical breast examination or mammography (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The level of worry did not affect the success of theory-based training, and the training was partially effective with regard to willingness to undergo breast cancer screening.