THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COLD CABBAGE LEAVES AND COLD GEL PACKS APPLICATION FOR MOTHERS WITH BREAST ENGORGEMENT: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

Abstract

BACKGROUND THE USE OF CABBAGE LEAVES AND GEL PACKS TO REDUCE BREAST ENGORGEMENT REQUIRES A STATISTICALLY CONCLUSIVE STUDY.

AIM TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COLD CABBAGE LEAVES AND COLD GEL PACKS IN REDUCING BREAST ENGORGEMENT AND INCREASING THE DURATION OF BREAST FEEDING.

METHODS IN TOTAL 227 MOTHERS WITH BREAST ENGORGEMENT WERE RECRUITED AND ASSIGNED INTO THREE GROUPS: COLD CABBAGE LEAVES, COLD GEL PACKS, AND CONTROL GROUP. PAIN, BREAST HARDNESS AND BODY TEMPERATURE WERE MEASURED AND COMPARED AMONG THE THREE GROUPS.

RESULTS MOTHERS RECEIVING COLD CABBAGE LEAVES HAD SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN BREAST ENGORGEMENT WHEN COMPARED TO THOSE IN OTHER GROUPS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE DURATION OF BREAST FEEDING AMONG THE THREE GROUPS.

CONCLUSION THIS WAS THE FIRST STUDY USING A ROBUST STUDY DESIGN WHICH SHOWED THAT COLD CABBAGE LEAVES WAS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN COLD GEL PACKS AND ROUTINE CARE IN REDUCING BREAST ENGORGEMENT.