Combined effects of abdominal binders and TENS on post-operative pain, distress and constipation in puerperium period after cesarean section

The abdominal binders and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are widely used by clinicians for pain, wound healing and in stabilization. However, these benefits have not been properly investigated in women who have undergone cesarean delivery. To determine the combined effects of postpartum abdominal binders and TENS on pain, distress and constipation in Puerperium Period after Cesarean Section. The double blind randomized controlled trial conducted from 21st February 2024 to 15th July 2024, at Pakistan Air Force and Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore using non-probability convenience sampling technique. This study was done after approval from the ethics review committee of Riphah International University, Lahore. A sample of 50 was divided in to two groups, each with 25 participants through simple randomization. Experimental group received abdominal binder, TENS, and basic conservative physiotherapy, while Control group received abdominal binder and basic conservative physiotherapy. Each session lasted 50 min for 3 session per week for 6 weeks. Assessment of pain, distress and constipation was done by using numeric pain rating scale, symptom distress scale and Patient assessment of constipation symptoms questionnaire. The result showed Group A, with an average age of 27.72 ± 1.77 years; in Group B, it was 25.68 ± 1.41. On applying independent sample t test a significant reductions in pain (NPRS: 4.04±0.93 vs. 5.12 ± 1.36, p < 0.01, d = − 0.924), constipation (PAC-SYMQ: 24.24 ± 3.75 vs. 30.20 ± 2.47, p < 0.05, d = -1.88), and distress (SDS: 30.00 ± 3.52 vs. 36.16 ± 5.93, p < 0.05, d = -1.26). On applying paired sample t test improvement was also seen in both groups ( P < 0.05). Based on these findings, it was concluded that combination of abdominal binders and TENS is effective in improving pain, distress and constipation among postpartum womens who have undergone cesarean delivery. Registry of Clinical Trial is done at Clinical trials.gov PRS with trial number of NCT06303245. Date of registration: February 23, 2023.