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Efficacy of a footbath for post‐partum fatigue in S outh K orea: A quasi‐experimental study
Author(s) -
Choi Eunsun,
Song Eunju
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
japan journal of nursing science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.363
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1742-7924
pISSN - 1742-7932
DOI - 10.1111/jjns.12143
Subject(s) - post partum , medicine , obstetrics and gynaecology , obstetrics , nursing , physical therapy , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Aim The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a footbath on post‐partum fatigue. Methods This study used a quasi‐experimental design by using an unequivalent control group, pre–post‐test design. The participants were divided into experimental and control groups. Fifty post‐partum women who were admitted to an obstetrics and gynecology ward of a general hospital were the experimental group and 50 post‐partum women who were admitted to an obstetrics and gynecology ward of a women's hospital were the control group. Two hospitals were providing similar postnatal care to their patients and they were located in the same city. The experimental group received a footbath along with postnatal care at the hospital, while the control group received only postnatal care from the hospital. Each group completed the Fatigue Continuum Form at a specified time. Results The general characteristics and pretest dependent variables were homogenous between the two groups. The hypothesis was supported post‐test as the F atigue C ontinuum Form scores differed significantly between the experimental and the control groups. Conclusion This study showed that a footbath helps to decrease fatigue among post‐partum women. In addition, it is a good preventative strategy for post‐partum women who should initiate it in the early post‐partum period.