A prospective quasi-experimental controlled study evaluating the use of defo to manage common postpartum ailments during postnatal care

Abstract

Aim: To determine if a postnatal dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFO) is effective for managing pain from common postnatal ailments. Design: Prospective quasi-experimental controlled study.Method: 51 women (compression shorts group (SG): n= 43, comparison group (CG) n= 8) were recruited from hospital and community-based health clinics. All women were evaluated day 0 to 10 days post-delivery (baseline). The SG wore a DEFO (SRC Recovery Shorts) and received standard postnatal care. CG received standard postnatal care alone. The primary outcome (Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)) was assessed fortnightly for 8 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included – Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) and SF­36 Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Results: The SG reported a larger reduction in mean (SD) NPRS pain score [-3.09 (2.20)] from baseline, compared to the CG [-2.00 (1.41)]. However, multivariable linear regressions with or without transformations revealed insufficient evidence of a statistical difference in NPRS score at 8 weeks when comparing the SG and the CG [-1.17; 95%CI: (-2.35, -0.01), R2 .19, p= .050]. Conclusion: Wearing a DEFO postpartum may assist to decrease pain and limit the impact of postnatal complications particularly for women starting with higher levels of pain. DEFO may be a useful non-pharmacological therapeutic option for the management of pain postpartum.Key Practice Point: The use of SRC Recovery Shorts to manage common postpartum ailments during postnatal care could be considered as a possible intervention that is clinically well-accepted by participants and has high compliance. <br/