The study was published in the Formosa Journal of Science and Technology (FJST) and examined whether guided finger-holding relaxation could reduce pain more effectively than standard care alone. The results showed a measurable decrease in pain intensity among patients who received the intervention.
Managing Pain After Caesarean Birth Remains a Global Health Challenge
Caesarean section is one of the most common surgical procedures in maternal healthcare. Although often medically necessary, recovery after surgery presents challenges that extend beyond wound healing.
Postoperative pain can affect mobility, sleep, emotional wellbeing, and a mother’s ability to care for and bond with her newborn. Poorly controlled pain may also delay recovery and prolong hospital stays.
Global health data cited in the study indicate that caesarean births continue to increase worldwide. As the number of procedures rises, hospitals and healthcare providers face growing pressure to improve recovery strategies while limiting unnecessary dependence on medication.
Non-pharmacological interventions have gained attention because they are generally inexpensive, easy to teach, and can complement standard medical treatment.
Finger hold relaxation therapy is one such approach.
How the Therapy Works
Finger hold relaxation therapy involves gently holding each finger for several minutes while maintaining calm breathing and focused attention.
The approach is based on the idea that physical relaxation and emotional regulation may influence how the nervous system processes discomfort.
Researchers describe the technique as simple enough to perform in hospital settings and potentially continue at home during recovery.
Unlike medication-based pain management, the intervention does not require equipment or additional clinical procedures.
Inside the Study
The research used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control design.
A total of 40 post–caesarean patients admitted to the postpartum inpatient ward at H.A Zaky Djunaid Hospital, Pekalongan City participated in the study.
Participants were divided into two groups:
- 20 patients received finger hold relaxation therapy
- 20 patients received standard care without the intervention
Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), a widely used clinical pain assessment tool that allows patients to score their pain on a numerical scale.
Researchers compared pain scores before and after treatment and used statistical analysis to evaluate whether changes differed between groups.
Pain Scores Dropped More Sharply in the Therapy Group
Before treatment began, both groups reported similarly high pain levels.
Average pain scores were:
- Intervention group: 7.60
- Control group: 7.45
After the intervention, the difference became more pronounced.
Patients who received finger hold relaxation therapy reported an average pain score of:
- 3.95 after treatment
Meanwhile, patients in the control group showed only a modest decline:
- 6.45 after observation
The statistical analysis demonstrated that the reduction was significant, indicating that the therapy contributed meaningfully to lower pain perception after surgery.
The intervention group moved from severe pain toward mild-to-moderate pain levels, while the control group remained closer to moderate-to-severe discomfort.
Why Relaxation May Influence Pain Perception
According to Afuraya and Winarti of Widya Husada University Semarang, the effect appears to involve both physiological and psychological responses.
The authors explain that finger stimulation may help trigger relaxation mechanisms and support the body’s natural pain regulation processes.
At the same time, focused attention and controlled breathing may shift attention away from discomfort and reduce anxiety, which is known to influence pain perception.
In ethical paraphrase of the authors’ interpretation, the Widya Husada University Semarang research team suggests that relaxation-based nursing interventions may strengthen postoperative care by increasing comfort and supporting recovery without replacing standard medical treatment.
The findings align with a growing body of healthcare research showing that supportive, patient-centered recovery strategies can improve outcomes after surgery.
Implications for Hospitals and Maternal Care
The practical implications of the study extend beyond a single hospital.
For healthcare providers, finger hold relaxation therapy could become an additional nursing intervention that complements pain medication.
For patients and families, the method offers a low-cost technique that can be learned quickly and practiced independently.
For healthcare systems, broader use of simple recovery-support tools may contribute to improved patient satisfaction and more efficient postpartum care.
Researchers note that pain experiences remain individual, meaning outcomes may still vary depending on physical condition, emotional state, and previous experiences with pain.
0 Komentar