Physical therapy improves patient outcomes after caesarean section

Women who received physical therapy after undergoing a caesarean section had significantly improved outcomes compared to those who did not according to a new study from the University of Missouri Health Care.

“C-section is one of the most common patient procedures performed, and women who need a C-section instead of spontaneous vaginal delivery are at least twice as likely to suffer from low back and pelvic pain, said study author Jennifer Stone, DPT, of Mizzou Healthcare Healthcare Therapy Services MU. “Our goal was to evaluate the impact of a complete physical therapy on recovery after cesarean delivery.”

Stone’s study employed 72 women who delivered with a caesarean section between 37 and 42 weeks gestation. A control group of 39 patients received the standard of care for the hospital, which included physical therapy consultation, written information about scar management and recommended abdominal exercise.

The remaining 33 patients received six weeks of physical therapy, which included scar therapy and movement for the lower back, hip joint and soft tissue tension. They also received stretching exercises, foundation and exercises to do at home. Researchers used a visual pain rating scale, a disability index scale, a patient satisfaction questionnaire, and a self-esteem exercise confidence scale to measure outcomes at eight and 14 weeks, and then at six, 12, and 18 months.

“We found that participants who received physical therapy once or twice a week achieved significantly lower pain levels faster than participants in the routine-care group,” Stone said. “Those in the physical therapy group received higher patient satisfaction scores at both 14 weeks and six months.”

Stone also learned that exercise ability was significantly better in the physical therapy group at 14 weeks and one year compared to the control group. However, study results do not support statistically significant differences between groups in pain after six months or patient satisfaction after one year or 18 months. Stone said more studies with a larger sample size will be needed to provide more visible results.