title: Effects of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Analgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy incision.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 144 postpartum women were allocated into two groups, using stratified block randomization, 1 h after completion of episiotomy repair. They received cinnamon or placebo ointment, 2 mL every 12 h for 10 d.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perineal pain and wound healing were assessed using visual analogue scale (0-10) and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation scale (0-15), respectively. General linear model was used to compare the groups on the outcomes adjusted for baseline values and stratified factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up rate was 100% up to the 8 h time point in both groups, and 86% (62 of 72) in the cinnamon group and 85% (61 of 72) in the placebo group at day 10-11 after delivery. Pain score in the cinnamon group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at (4±1) h (adjusted difference: -0.6, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -0.2) and (8±1) h (-0.9, -1.4 to -0.3) after intervention, and on the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.4, -2.0 to -0.7). Also the cinnamon group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in healing score at (8±1) h (-0.2, -0.4 to -0.04) and the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.6, -2.0 to -1.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cinnamon can be used for reducing perineal pain and improving healing of episiotomy incision.
authors: Students Research Committee, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Azam
authors: A
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Iranian Center for Evidence Based Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; E-mail:alizades@tbzmed.ac.ir,smoalch@yahoo.com.
authors: Sakineh
authors: S
authors: Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi
authors: Midwifery Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Mojgan
authors: M
authors: Mirghafourvand
authors: Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Yousef
authors: Y
authors: Javadzadeh
authors: Women Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Fardiazar
authors: Students Research Committee, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Effati-Daryani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002935:Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Q000737:chemistry*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D010936:Plant Extracts