Neuro-linguistic programming for postoperative pain management: A randomized controlled trial

Nursel Alp Dal, Kerime D. Beydağ, Aysel Doğan

Abstract

Effective control of pain after cesarean delivery is essential, as poorly managed postoperative pain is a common complication that can impair maternal recovery and early infant care. This prospective, randomized, single-blind controlled trial, conducted in the postpartum unit of Kocaeli University Hospital, Kocaeli, Türkiye, between March 2021 and June 2022, compared the effect of a single neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) session added to standard postoperative care against standard care alone. Seventy-six consenting women were randomized in equal numbers to the intervention (standard care plus NLP) or control (standard care only) group. The primary outcome was pain intensity, measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the intervention period. Mean follow-up pain scores were significantly lower in the intervention group (2.37±1.792) than in the control group (6.68±2.068; p<0.001), while baseline pain scores and maternal demographic and obstetric characteristics did not differ significantly between groups. Adding a single NLP session to standard postoperative care effectively reduced pain after cesarean delivery, supporting its use as a non-pharmacological adjunct in postoperative nursing and midwifery practice.

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