Comparative interventional study to assess the effectiveness of alternative hot and cold compresses vs. cold cabbage leaves on breast engorgement and pain among postnatal mothers

Comparative interventional study to assess the effectiveness of alternative hot & cold compresses vs. Cold cabbage leaves on breast engorgement and pain among postnatal mothers. This study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of “alternative hot and cold compresses and cold cabbage leaves” application on breast engorgement and pain as despite of numerous strategies, there is lack of knowledge regarding the most effective method in treating breast engorgement among postnatal mothers. A comparative interventional research design was used with convenience sampling technique consisted of 60 postnatal mothers out of which 30 subjects in the experimental group 1 were given intervention with application of alternative hot and cold compresses while 30 subjects in the experimental group 2 were given intervention with application of cold cabbage leaves. Assessment was done in terms of breast consistency and breast tenderness scores before intervention and at the end of each day. Data was collected by using interview schedule to assess the socio demographic data and observational checklist for assessing breast consistency and tenderness. Analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean breast consistency score in experimental group 1 had a decrease of 2.70 to 0.96 while mean score in experimental group 2 had decrease of only 2.80 to 1.50 (p < 0.001). Similarly in mean breast tenderness score in experimental group 1 had decrease of 5.73 to 1.00 whereas breast tenderness score in experimental group 2 had decrease of only 6.30 to 2.70. Thus the study concluded that application of alternative hot and cold compresses are more effective than application of cold cabbage leaves in reducing breast engorgement and pain.