The effect of low-frequency electrical stimulation combined with abdominal acupoint massage on postoperative recovery after cesarean section

INTERVENTION: A total of 120 postoperative patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (group A, n=30) or the observation group (group B, C and D, n=30). The control group received conventional interventions, while the observation group received a nursing intervention consisting of low‐frequency electrical stimulation combined with abdominal acupoint massage starting at 6‐8 hours (group B), 8‐10 hours (group C) and 10‐12 hours (group D) after the operation. The primary outcomes included the time to first bowel sound, time to flatus, time to defecation, and time to lactation. The secondary outcomes included postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS) pain scores, the rate and severity of abdominal distension, and serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Randomisation: An administrative staff member handled patient enrollment, and patients randomly draw a number card from an opaque envelope prepared in advance, ranging from 1 to 120. Then, based on the random numbers generated by Excel, the patients were automatically assigned patients into 1 of the 4 groups. Patients were allocated into the control group (Group A, n=30) , Group B (n=30), Group C (n=30), Group D (n=30) using the 1:1:1:1 ratio. All data were collected post‐intervention. All subjects and investigators involved in recruitment, data collection, and statistical analysis were blinded to randomization status throughout the study. Only the operator knew about the interventions the subjects received, but she had no involvement in the study process. CONDITION: Prevention of gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients after cesarean section. ; Pregnancy and Childbirth PRIMARY OUTCOME: Calculated from the end of surgery:; 1. Time to first bowel sound; 2. Time to first flatus; 3. Time to first defecation; 4. Time to lactation SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. The postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS) pain score, evaluate the pain at 24, 48, and 72 hours post surgery using Visual Analogue Scale; ; 2. The rate and severity of abdominal distension, evaluate abdominal distension 48 hours after surgery through consultation; According to different degrees of abdominal distension, it is classified as mild, moderate, and severe. Mild cases may have abdominal distension, but the incision is not painful; Moderate abdominal distension, local swelling and pain of the incision, tolerable; Severe cases may result in abdominal distension and significant incision pain, which is intolerable;; 3. The serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) measured using blood sample at 48h after surgery by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II 2. Normal singleton pregnancy with at least 37 weeks of gestation 3. Aged 20 ‐ 40 years