An interventional study of Back Massage in Postpartum Fatigue and Maternity Blues, sponsored by Kocaeli University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 45 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-09.
Sponsored by Kocaeli University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of back massage applied after elective cesarean birth on postpartum fatigue and maternity blues. Women were randomly assigned to either a back massage group or a control group. The intervention group received a 30-minute back massage after the first postoperative mobilization, while the control group received routine postpartum care only. Postpartum fatigue and maternity blues were assessed on the second postoperative day before discharge.
This study was conducted as a two-group, parallel, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of back massage applied after elective cesarean birth on postpartum fatigue and maternity blues. The study included 80 women who underwent elective cesarean birth and met the eligibility criteria. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the back massage group or the control group.
Women in the back massage group received routine postpartum care in addition to a 30-minute back massage. The massage was administered by the second author after the first mobilization at the sixth postoperative hour. Women in the control group received routine postpartum care only and did not receive any additional intervention.
Postpartum fatigue and maternity blues were assessed on the second postoperative day before hospital discharge. Postpartum fatigue was evaluated using the Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale, and maternity blues was assessed using the Maternity Blues Scale. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were collected using a Participant Information Form developed by the researchers.
The primary objective of the study was to determine whether back massage after elective cesarean birth reduces postpartum fatigue and maternity blues compared with routine postpartum care alone.
Kocaeli University is the lead sponsor of 214 studies on the registry; 39 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants assigned to the Back Massage Group received routine postpartum care plus a 30-minute back massage. The massage was administered after the first mobilization at the sixth postoperative hour following elective cesarean birth. Postpartum fatigue and maternity blues were assessed on the second postoperative day before discharge.
Behavioral: Back Massage
Participants assigned to the Control Group received the hospital's routine postpartum care only and did not receive any additional intervention. Postpartum fatigue and maternity blues were assessed on the second postoperative day before discharge.
Participants in the Back Massage Group received a 30-minute back massage in addition to routine postpartum care. The massage was administered after the first mobilization at the sixth postoperative hour following elective cesarean birth. The intervention was delivered by the second researcher. Participants continued to receive the hospital's standard postpartum care throughout the study.
Postpartum Fatigue Assessed by the Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale
The Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale consists of 13 items and three subscales. Total scores range from 0 to 39, with higher scores indicating greater postpartum fatigue.
Time frame: 48 hours after cesarean birth
Maternity Blues Assessed by the Maternity Blues Scale
The Turkish version of the Maternity Blues Scale consists of 28 items and five subscales. Higher scores indicate higher levels of maternity blues.
Time frame: 48 hours after cesarean birth
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from May 2025 to primary completion in May 2026, 12 months.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.