CYBERMED LIFE - ORGANIC  & NATURAL LIVING

Postpartum Sleep Problems

  • Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women📎

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    Abstract Title:

    Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women.

    Abstract Source:

    Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015 Apr ;17(4):e25880. Epub 2015 Apr 25. PMID: 26023343

    Abstract Author(s):

    Mahnaz Keshavarz Afshar, Zahra Behboodi Moghadam, Ziba Taghizadeh, Reza Bekhradi, Ali Montazeri, Pouran Mokhtari

    Article Affiliation:

    Mahnaz Keshavarz Afshar

    Abstract:

    BACKGROUND:Labor and delivery is a stressful stage for mothers. During these periods, sleep-related disorders have been reported. The problems of inadequate sleep include decrease in concentration, judgment, difficulty in performing daily activities, and an increase in irritability. Even the effects of moderate sleep loss on life and health quality can be similar to sleep deprivation. some research aggravated by aromatherapy on sleep quality in different periods of life so might be useful for the improve of sleep quality in postpartum women.

    OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in postpartum women. The sample was recruited from medical health centers of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences.

    PATIENTS AND METHODS:This study was a randomized clinical trial with the control group. A total of 158 mothers in postpartum period (with certain inclusion criteria) were enrolled in the study and assigned randomly to two groups of control and intervention. Lavender fragrance (made by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Co.) was used by participants in the intervention group nightly before sleeping. The fragrance was dropped on cotton balls, which were placed on a cylindrical container at mothers' disposal. Keeping the container at a projected distance of 20 cm, the participants inhaled 10 deep breaths and then the container was placed beside their pillow until morning. This procedure was done 4 times a week for 8 weeks. For the control group, the same intervention was done with the placebo. The instrument for collecting data was Pittsburgh sleep quality index, which was completed at the baseline, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent t test and repeated measures analysis of variance calculated by SPSS16.

    RESULTS:Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between mothers in two groups (P>0.05). After 8 weeks follow up, a significant improvement appeared in mothers' sleep quality in the intervention group. Aromatherapy increased sleep quality mean score (±SD) from 8.2911 (± 2.1192) to 6.7975 (± 2.3663) (P<0.05), but in the control group sleep quality mean score (±SD) changes from 8.4557 (± 2.3027) to 7.5696 (± 1.1464) (P>0.05). Comparing sleep quality between control and intervention groups after 8 weeks from the beginning of the intervention indicated that aromatherapy was effective in the improvement of mothers' sleep quality (P<0.05).

    CONCLUSIONS:Considering the effects of aromatherapy on the improvement of mother's sleep quality during postpartum period, aromatherapy has been suggested as a non-pharmacological method for the improvement of the maternal health.

    Article Published Date : Mar 31, 2015

  • Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst Taiwanese postpartum women.

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    Abstract Title:

    Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst Taiwanese postpartum women.

    Abstract Source:

    Midwifery. 2009 Jul 3. PMID: 19577829

    Abstract Author(s):

    Chia-Yen Li, Su-Chiu Chen, Chung-Yi Li, Meei-Ling Gau, Chiu-Mieh Huang

    Abstract:

    OBJECTIVE: to examine the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve sleep quality in postpartum women. DESIGN AND SETTING: randomised controlled trial, conducted at two postpartum centres in northern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 65 postpartum women reporting poor quality of sleep were recruited from July 2007 to December 2007. INTERVENTIONS: participants were assigned randomly to either an intervention or a control group. Participants in both groups received the same care except for reflexology therapy. The intervention group received a single 30-minute foot reflexology session at the same time each evening for five consecutive days. Sessions were administered by a certified nurse reflexologist. MEASURES AND FINDINGS: the outcome measure was the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and this was performed at baseline and post test. Mean PQSI scores for both groups declined over time between baseline and post test. Using a generalised estimation equation to control several confounding variables, the changes in mean PSQI were found to be significantly lower in the intervention group (beta=-2.24, standard error=0.38, p<0.001) than in the control group. CONCLUSION: an intervention involving foot reflexology in the postnatal period significantly improved the quality of sleep. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives should evaluate maternal sleep quality and design early intervention programmes to improve quality of sleep in order to increase maternal biopsychosocial well-being. Midwives interested in complementary therapies should be encouraged to obtain training in reflexology and to apply it in clinical settings if it is allowed.

    Article Published Date : Jul 03, 2009

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