The EPIS Trial: Optimizing Postpartum Pelvic Health Through Self-Scar Tissue Massage of Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
Summary
Up to 9 out of 10 people will experience some type of tear, graze or episiotomy with their first vaginal birth. Tears from childbirth can occur inside the vagina or on other parts of the vulva as well as the perineum. Episiotomy is a surgical incision to enlarge the vaginal opening during birth. Episiotomy and perineal tears have been associated with pelvic floor dysfunction. Some examples of pelvic floor dysfunction are leakage of urine, and difficulty controlling gas or stool. It can also include pelvic pain and difficult or painful sexual intercourse.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help these pelvic floor dysfunctions. Scar tissue massage is a treatment that can help improve scar mobility and relieve pain and tension. It is sometimes given as a home exercise to be self-performed by patients.
This pilot study will determine if studying self-performed episiotomy and/or perineal tear scar tissue massage is feasible. It will also determine if self-scar massage is acceptable to participants.
We will randomize participants into two groups. Group 1 will perform self-scar tissue massage after they are instructed in how to perform it for 5 minutes a day, 3x/week for 6 weeks. Group 2 will receive the current standard of postpartum follow up and will not be instructed or be asked to perform self-scar massage.
Participants in both groups will be given questionnaires to be filled out at the start of the study and at 3 months and 6 months. These questionnaires will ask about their pelvic and general health. If participants agree, they may also be interviewed about their thoughts on scar massage and participating in this study.
Data will be collected to see if a larger study will be feasible to conduct. This study will examine if self-performed episiotomy scar massage helps to improve pelvic health outcomes.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Eligible ages: 18 to 55
Accepts healthy participants: Yes
Inclusion criteria:
You are eligible for this study if you are:
1) 18 years of age, or older
2) Able to read, write, and speak English
3) Have just delivered your first baby by vaginal delivery in the last year and experienced an episiotomy and/or perineal tear
4) Have been cleared by your maternity care provider that your episiotomy and/or perineal tear scar tissue is healed and that it is appropriate to perform self scar-tissue massage
Exclusion criteria:
You are not eligible to participate if you
1) If your maternity care provider does not feel your episiotomy or perineal tear scar tissue is healed
2) If you have an infection
3) If you recently had surgery
Participate
Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under
the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If
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Additional information
Contact information
Please contact ginamarie.cerantola@ucalgary.ca
Principal investigator:
Erin Brennand
Clinical trial:
Yes
REB-ID:
REB23-0097