Effect of Reiki on Breastfeeding, Pain, and Comfort After Cesarean Delivery A Randomized Study of Reiki Compared to Sham Reiki and Standard Care

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Reiki on breastfeeding, pain, and comfort in women who have had a cesarean section during the postpartum period. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare outcomes between women receiving Reiki, Sham Reiki, and standard care to understand if Reiki can influence breastfeeding success, pain relief, and comfort. The study addresses the need for supportive, non-pharmacological care methods as cesarean sections can increase postpartum pain and affect breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups Reiki therapy, Sham Reiki, or a control group receiving routine postpartum care. Reiki sessions will be applied six times postpartumthree times in person during the hospital stay and three times remotely via phone in weeks two through four. Each session lasts about 16 to 20 minutes and includes specific hand placements on various body areas, with precautions taken for vital signs. Sham Reiki mimics the Reiki procedure but is performed by a person without Reiki training. The control group receives standard care without Reiki. Throughout the study, women will undergo multiple assessments such as vital signs, pain scales, breastfeeding evaluation scales LATCH and BSES-SF, perceived milk supply, and comfort questionnaires before and after Reiki sessions and before hospital discharge. Follow-up phone calls will collect data on breastfeeding status, infant weight gain, and maternal comfort during weeks two to four postpartum. The primary outcome is the effect of Reiki on breastfeeding self-efficacy measured face-to-face and by telephone during the first postoperative days and the fourth week postpartum. This study will continue until May 2026 and includes detailed monitoring of both physiological and psychosocial healing processes.

THE EFFECT OF REIKI ON BREASTFEEDING, PAIN AND COMFORT AFTER CESAREAN SECTION