Effectiveness Of Early Bed Mobility Exercises And Ambulation In Post Operative Cesarean Section Pain Reduction

Effectiveness Of Early Bed Mobility Exercises And Ambulation In Post Operative Cesarean Section Pain Reduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early bed mobility exercises and ambulation in reducing post-operative pain among women who undergo elective cesarean section. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted with 56 participants divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive physiotherapy exercises such as pelvic rolling, breathing exercises, and ambulation, while the control group will receive routine nursing care. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The study is expected to show that early mobilization reduces pain, improves recovery, and enhances overall well-being.

This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effectiveness of early bed mobility exercises and ambulation in reducing post-operative pain among women undergoing elective cesarean section. The study will be conducted at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Lady Reading Hospital (MTI), Peshawar, over a period of six months.

A total of 56 participants aged 18-40 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and randomly assigned into two groups using consecutive blocked randomization. The intervention group will receive a structured physiotherapy program including pelvic rolling, leg sliding, deep breathing, chest expansion exercises, ankle pumping, and ambulation starting 5 hours post-surgery. The control group will receive routine nursing care.

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, applying paired and independent t-tests to compare within and between group differences.

The study aims to demonstrate that early mobilization significantly reduces post-operative pain, decreases the need for analgesics, shortens hospital stay, and improves functional recovery and overall well-being in post-cesarean women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women undergoing elective cesarean section
• Age between 18-40 years
• Medically stable patients
• Patients admitted and staying in hospital for at least 24 hours post-surgery
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous abdominal surgeries (e.g., hernia, cholecystectomy)
• Presence of comorbidities such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or long-term steroid use
• Patients with severe postpartum complications (e.g., hemorrhage, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)
• Patients experiencing severe nausea, dizziness, or vomiting
• Patients unable to follow instructions
• Patients unwilling to participate