The Effect of Oketani Massage on Breastfeeding Success and Breast Engorgement in Mothers Delivering by Cesarean Section

The Effect of Oketani Massage on Breastfeeding Success and Breast Engorgement in Mothers Delivering by Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Study

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of octani massage on breastfeeding success and breast engorgement in mothers who gave birth by cesarean section. The research was carried out in the gynecology service of Ağrı Training and Research Hospital between November 2022 and April 2023. The universe of the study consisted of mothers who were hospitalized in the gynecology service of Ağrı Training and Research Hospital between November 2022 and April 2023 and gave birth by cesarean section. The Open Epi calculation tool was used to determine the sample of the study. The sample calculation was made on the average score differences in the Open Epi info program. Accordingly, it was planned to include 106 mothers, 53 of whom were in the control group and 53 in the massage group. Considering the sample loss to be experienced during data collection, a total of 116 mothers, 58 in the control group and 58 in the massage group, were included in the study. Randomization of the groups participating in the study was made as simple randomization using the www.random.org site. Introductory Characteristics Questionnaire, oketany massage follow-up form, breast engorgement assessment scale and LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic measurement tool were used to collect the research data.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breastfeeding; Engorgement of Breast Associated With Childbirth, Postpartum
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Oketani massage

Detailed Description

The research was carried out in two groups, namely the octopus massage group and the control group.

Oketani Massage Group: According to the Ministry of Health, the follow-up period for mothers after cesarean section in Turkey is 48 hours. After the mothers in the massage group were taken to the service, oketani massage was applied three times a day for an average of 15-20 minutes, starting before breastfeeding. Massage was applied to the Oketani massage group by a midwife working in the clinic. Before the mothers were discharged, the breast engorgement and breastfeeding status of the mothers were evaluated using the breast fullness assessment scale and the LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic scale. Control Group: No intervention was made in the control group and routine follow-up of mothers and babies will be performed after cesarean section. No intervention was made regarding the breastfeeding process of the mothers, other than the breastfeeding counseling given by the breastfeeding consultant according to the hospital protocol. Before the mothers were discharged, the breast engorgement a and breastfeeding status of the mothers were evaluated using the breast fullness assessment scale and the LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic scale.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 116
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Ağrı, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Agri Ibrahim Cecen University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion criteria for the study:

• Delivery by cesarean section
• Single and live birth,
• 38-40 Giving birth between weeks
• Not having a mental or physical disability that prevents breastfeeding,
• The baby does not need neonatal intensive care
• The baby does not have a condition that prevents breastfeeding
• Sharing the same room with the baby
• Agreeing to participate in the research

Exclusion criteria from the study:

• Refusal to participate in the study
• Giving birth normally
• Giving birth prematurely
• Having a mental and physical disability that prevents breastfeeding
• Being 18 years of age or younger
• Transferring the baby to the neonatal intensive care unit
• Having a condition that prevents breastfeeding

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Oketani massage group; According to the Ministry of Health, the follow-up period for mothers after cesarean section in Turkey is 48 hours. After the mothers in the massage group were taken to the service, oketani massage was applied three times a day for an average of 15-20 minutes, starting before breastfeeding. Massage was applied to the Oketani massage group by a midwife working in the clinic. Before the mothers were discharged, the breast fullness and breastfeeding status of the mothers were evaluated using the breast engorgement assessment scale and the LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic scale.	Other: Oketani massage; The part between the breast and the base of the lower pectoral muscle is called the "oketani". It is a manual massage technique developed to encourage breastfeeding in breastfeeding problems such as insufficient milk production and mastitis. It is a massage that stimulates the breast, relaxes it and is painless.
No Intervention: Control group; No intervention was made in the control group and routine follow-up of mothers and babies will be performed after cesarean section. No intervention was made regarding the breastfeeding process of the mothers, other than the breastfeeding counseling given by the breastfeeding consultant according to the hospital protocol. Before the mothers were discharged, the breast fullness and breastfeeding status of the mothers were evaluated using the breast fengorgement assessment scale and the LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic scale.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Breast engorgement assessment scale	The scale is scored from 1 to 6. On the scale, "1" is evaluated as no soft change, while "6" is expressed as very hard and very sensitive. If the score from the scale is higher than 4, it means that there is breast fullness.	postpartum 48 hours from birth
LATCH breastfeeding diagnostic scale	by observing breastfeeding; It is an assessment tool that is quick and easy to apply, created to detect problems that may occur during breastfeeding. Scoring is done between 0-2 and the maximum score that can be obtained is 10. In the non-breakpoint measurement tool, a high score indicates successful breastfeeding.	postpartum 48 hours from birth

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Agri Ibrahim Cecen University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): April 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 2, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 12, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): June 15, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: breastfeeding; Engorgement; Oketani massage
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Behavior; Feeding Behavior; Hyperemia; Breast Feeding
• Other Study ID Numbers: AgriIbrahimCecenU

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No