Pain Relief Skills + Education for Cesarean Section Complications

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Chronic pain, Cognitive impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1-2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the impact of a pain relief skills session, called Empowered Relief, along with educational content on recovery after a cesarean section. The researchers aim to determine if these interventions can improve overall postpartum recovery within 12 weeks. Participants will attend a two-hour session and access online educational materials while continuing their standard care. This trial suits English-speaking women scheduled for a cesarean delivery at Stanford Healthcare who have access to a smart device for online meetings. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance postpartum recovery for future mothers.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this pain relief skills session is safe for postpartum recovery?

Research shows that the Empowered Relief session is generally easy for patients to handle. Previous studies have not found any major negative effects linked to this treatment. Empowered Relief teaches skills to manage pain, helping to reduce it without medication. This makes it a safe choice for many people, especially those recovering from cesarean sections. While specific side effects weren't mentioned, the overall results suggest that Empowered Relief safely helps manage pain after surgery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Empowered Relief because it offers a fresh approach to managing pain after a cesarean section. Unlike standard care, which may rely heavily on medication, this treatment focuses on teaching pain relief skills through a single, two-hour session. This method empowers participants to actively manage their pain and could reduce dependency on traditional painkillers. By combining these skills with educational content on postpartum care, Empowered Relief aims to enhance recovery and overall well-being in a holistic manner.

What evidence suggests that Empowered Relief is effective for postpartum recovery after a cesarean section?

Research has shown that the Empowered Relief session, which participants in this trial may receive along with educational content, can greatly assist with pain management after a cesarean section. Studies have found that this approach helps people handle their pain and recover better after childbirth. Specifically, combining pain management techniques with empowerment education has improved pain control after surgery. This method equips people with the skills to manage their discomfort, potentially leading to a better overall recovery. While more data will provide further insights, early findings suggest a promising benefit for those recovering from a cesarean section. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Pervez Sultan

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for postpartum women who have recently undergone a cesarean delivery and are interested in improving their recovery process. Specific eligibility criteria details were not provided, so it's best to contact the study organizers for more information on who can participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Access to smart device for zoom / video meetings

Any woman scheduled for a cesarean delivery in the Stanford Healthcare system with a viable birth

English fluency

Exclusion Criteria

Cognitive impairment, non-English speaking, or psychological factors that would preclude comprehension of material and/or full participation in the study.

History of chronic pain prior to pregnancy

I am under 18 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants attend a 2-hour Empowered Relief session and view educational content online on postpartum care

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person), online content

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at Weeks 3, 8, and 14

12 weeks

Multiple assessments (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Empowered Relief

Trial Overview The trial is examining how a single session of pain relief skills training called 'Empowered Relief' along with educational materials affects overall recovery at 12 weeks after a cesarean section.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: 1-Session pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) and Education Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will view educational content online on postpartum care and attend a 2 hour Empowered Relief session at the beginning of the study period. Standard of care will be maintained for all participants, and supplemented with Educational content and Empowered Relief.

Group II: Standard of Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will follow their current standard of care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials

2,103

Recruited

2,760,000+

Citations

1. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/acc714dafc1d6a6d/nct07192718-comprehensive-multimodal-intervention-recovery-cesarean-delivery

Using Empowered Relief and Education To Help Postpartum ... The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) and educational content on global postpartum recovery at 12 ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-complications-cesarean-section-6-2025-331ba

Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain After Cesarean Delivery The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) on chronic pain incidence at 12 weeks post cesarean delivery ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12169547/

The effects of integrating the Manchester Pain ... The combined intervention of the Manchester pain management model and empowerment education significantly improved postoperative pain control.

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-complications-cesarean-section-8-2025-8b523

Pain Relief Skills + Education for Cesarean Section ... The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) and educational content on global postpartum recovery at 12 ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422021000457

The effectiveness and safety of complementary health ... Two trials of massage found a reduction in pain following caesarean birth within the first 24 h post birth (MD -2.64, 95–2.82 to -2.46, 184 women, I2 0%), and ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12413247/

Patient and Provider Perspectives on Cesarean Delivery ... Neuraxial anesthesia is considered the gold standard for cesarean delivery, because it provides more effective postoperative pain relief than ...

7. htsyndication.com htsyndication.com/health-daily-digest/article/clinical-trial%3A-empowered-relief%3A-a-one-time-session-to-help-postpartum-women-manage-ongoing-pain-after-cesarean-delivery/91972415

Clinical Trial: Empowered Relief: A One-Time Session to ... Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) on chronic pain incidence at ...