A Comparative study to Assess the Effectiveness of Acupressure Vs Reflexology on Lactation among Immediate Postnatal Mothers in Selected Hospitals Kanyakumari District Tamilnadu

Abstract

Lactation and breast feeding are essential for the mother and the neonate in the early period of life to protect and promote health. Lactation is very important for successful Breastfeeding, Good lactation is established only when the mother is relaxed and free from distractions. To promote this, reflexology and acupressure is used as a complimentary alternative medicine to enhance lactation and breastfeeding. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the adequacy of lactation among experimental group I of immediate postnatal mothers before and after acupressure. 2. To assess the adequacy of lactation among experimental group II of immediate postnatal mothers before and after reflexology. 3. To compare the pretest and posttest scores on adequacy of lactation in experimental group I and II among immediate postnatal mothers. 4. To determine the effectiveness of acupressure Vs reflexology on adequacy of lactation between experimental group I and group II. 5. To find out the association between posttest scores on adequacy of lactation among experimental group I and II of immediate postnatal mothers with the selected demographic variables. METHODS: A Quasi experimental design was used in this study. The sample size of the study was 250 immediate postnatal mothers. Effectiveness of acupressure and reflexology among immediate postnatal mothers was assessed using breast assessment and breast feeding tool. RESULTS: Acupressure and reflexology are effective in promoting lactation adequacy on postnatal mothers. The t test value for experimental group I and II, level of breast secretion and breast feeding was 15.73 and 14.12 (Plt 0.05). Effectiveness of acupressure vs reflexology on lactation, t test value was 10.69 for breast secretion and 9.86 for breast feeding in experimental group I and II. CONCLUSION: Both acupressure and reflexology were an effective intervention to promote lactation among immediate postnatal mothers. The results of this study showed that complementary therapies were useful in promoting lactation among immediate postnatal mothers.