The Effect of Breast Massage and Virtual Reality Application on Lactation in Postpartum Women

Summary

This randomized controlled study aims to examine the effects of breast massage and virtual reality applications on breastfeeding in women after cesarean delivery. The study will include mothers aged 18-45, who have delivered a healthy baby via cesarean section at an Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a University Training and Research Hospital located in the Aegean Region. Participants will have no health issues preventing breastfeeding, will have previously received breastfeeding counseling, and will be included after providing informed consent following the explanation of the study's objectives.

The primary research questions addressed in this study are as follows: Does breast massage applied to women after cesarean delivery affect breastfeeding? Does the application of virtual reality to women after cesarean delivery affect breastfeeding?

The research groups will be randomly assigned into three groups-virtual reality, breast massage, and control-before any interventions are applied. Randomization will be performed using the website www.randomizer.org to determine the group allocation for each participant.

In this study, 31 mothers in the virtual reality group will be shown a 15-minute virtual reality video, depicting a river and forest, viewed through a virtual reality headset, in order to create a relaxing and calming environment. This will be done on post-operative day 0, at the 3rd hour, and at the 24th hour. In the breast massage group, 32 mothers will receive breast massage for 15 minutes, administered by the researchers at the same time points (post-operative day 0, 3rd hour, and 24th hour). After the interventions, mothers will be asked to breastfeed their babies, and the babies will be weighed both before and after breastfeeding.

The control group will receive no intervention and will receive standard care (31 women). Infant weight measurements will also be taken at the same times in the control group. After the interventions, the LATCH Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool, along with the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, will be applied to all groups on post-operative day 0, at the 3rd hour, and at the 24th hour.

A descriptive information form will be used to determine the sociodemographic and obstetric features of the participants in the study.

Conditions

• Lactation
• Lactation Disorder - Postpartum Condition or Complication
• Lactation Disorder With Baby Delivered

Interventions

OTHER

Breast massage

The breast massage group will receive a 15-minute breast massage administered by the researchers at postoperative Day 0, Hour 3, and Hour 24. The aim of this intervention is to increase lactation. Following the interventions, mothers will be asked to breastfeed their infants, and the infants will be weighed both before and after breastfeeding.

OTHER

Virtual Reality

Postpartum women who undergo virtual reality headset application will watch a 15-minute river and forest video using the headset on postoperative day 0, hour 3, and hour 24. This intervention aims to help them feel in a relaxing and soothing environment and to increase lactation. Following the interventions, mothers will be asked to breastfeed their infants, and the infants will be weighed both before and after breastfeeding.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uşak University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Şeyma Çatalgöl, Dr · Uşak University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-01-31

Primary Completion

2025-06-06

Completion

2025-06-12

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations