title: Effect of cryotherapy on relief of perineal pain after vaginal childbirth with episiotomy: a randomized and controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Verify the effectiveness of cryotherapy in relieving perineal pain in women after vaginal delivery with episiotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reference Center of Women's Health of Ribeirão Preto (MATER), in the state of São Paulo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 50 women who reported pain in the postpartum period following vaginal delivery with episiotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The women in the experimental group applied a bag of crushed ice to the perineal region for 20minutes. Both groups were assessed before, immediately after removal of the ice bag, and one hour after cryotherapy treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complaint of pain was evaluated using a numerical pain assessment scale (0 to 10). Perineal temperature was also measured using an infrared thermometer, and the satisfaction of women undergoing the treatment was assessed using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain relief was verified for the experimental group compared to the control group in the second (immediately after use of cryotherapy) and third evaluations (one hour after cryotherapy). The temperature of the perineal region was found to be related to the intensity of pain, e.g. the lower the temperature provided by cryotherapy, the lower the woman's complaint of pain. 88% of women reported being satisfied with the treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 20minutes of application, cryotherapy was effective in relieving perineal pain in women in the immediate postpartum period after vaginal birth with episiotomy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12613000052730.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy at the Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, Caixa Posta 676, CEP: 13.565-905 São Carlos, Brazil. Electronic address: acbeleza@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina Sartorato
authors.initials: ACS
authors.lastname: Beleza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanics, Physical Medicine and Locomotive Apparatus Rehabilitation at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of Sao Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário-Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14040-900 SP, Brazil. Electronic address: cristine@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Cristine Homsi Jorge
authors.initials: CHJ
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy at the Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, Caixa Posta 676, CEP: 13.565-905 São Carlos, Brazil. Electronic address: pdriusso@ufscar.br.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Driusso
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal-Child Nursing and Public Health at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing of the University of Sao Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário-Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14040-902 SP, Brazil. Electronic address: cbsantos@eerp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Claudia Benedita
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal-Child Nursing and Public Health at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing of the University of Sao Paulo, Avenida dos Bandeirantes, 3900, Campus Universitário-Bairro Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, CEP: 14040-902 SP, Brazil. Electronic address: nakano@eerp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Ana Márcia Spanó
authors.initials: AMS
authors.lastname: Nakano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010502:Perineum; D049590:Postpartum Period; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Childbirth; Cryotherapy; Pain; Perineum; Postpartum