Pranayama breathing after cesarean to ease pain
The Effect of Post-Caesarean Section Pranayama Breathing Exercises on Pain and Postpartum Comfort: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This project tests whether pranayama breathing exercises can reduce postoperative pain and improve comfort for women after a cesarean delivery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | KTO Karatay University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07329309 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study asks women who had a cesarean under spinal anesthesia and report pain of at least 4 on the Numerical Rating Scale to perform guided pranayama breathing exercises as the intervention; outcomes are postoperative pain and postpartum comfort. Pain and comfort will be measured with standard scales and compared between participants who perform the breathing exercises and usual care. Eligible participants must speak Turkish and be able to communicate with the research team, while emergency cesareans and significant pregnancy or postoperative complications are excluded. The protocol aims to test whether a non-pharmacological breathing technique can serve as an adjunct to usual postpartum care to reduce pain and improve early comfort.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women who had a planned caesarean under spinal anaesthesia, report postoperative pain ≥4 on the NRS, speak Turkish, can communicate with the team, and consent to perform the breathing exercises.
Not a fit: Women who had emergency caesareans, have major pregnancy or postoperative complications, chronic pain or analgesic dependence, or who cannot tolerate or refuse the exercises are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, pranayama could lower pain and improve early postpartum comfort without adding medications.
How similar studies have performed: Similar small studies of breathing techniques and yogic breathing for perioperative and childbirth-related pain have shown mixed but sometimes promising results, so the approach is not yet definitive.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Undergone a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia * Reported a post-operative pain level of at least 4 on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) * Knowledge of Turkish * Ability to communicate effectively with the research team * Volunteer to participate in the study and provide written consent Exclusion Criteria: * Having given birth by emergency caesarean section * Presence of pregnancy complications (e.g. pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia) * History of chronic pain or analgesic dependence * Requirement for admission to the intensive care unit in the early postoperative period * Need for additional surgical intervention * Development of significant intraoperative or postoperative complications * Refusal to exercise or intolerance to exercise * Failure to comply with study procedures * Withdrawal of consent * Incomplete follow-up * Development of a new medical condition during the study that could affect the results
Where this trial is running
Konya
- Kto Karatay University — Konya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.