Evaluation of the effectiveness of multidimensional nursing interventions on post-caesarean section abdominal distension

Li Huang, Hongfeng Zhu

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy of a multidimensional nursing intervention combining Zusanli massage with psychological counselling and breathing exercises in alleviating post-caesarean section abdominal distension, 120 women who underwent caesarean section at Hefei Maternal and Child Health Hospital between September 2025 and March 2026 were selected as the study subjects. Participants were divided into a control group (n=52) and an study group (n=68) based on the nursing intervention protocols they actually received postoperatively. Data were collected and compared regarding the incidence of abdominal distension, indicators of gastrointestinal function recovery, postoperative pain levels, anxiety and depression status, and postoperative complications. The results showed that the incidence of postoperative abdominal distension, pain scores and anxiety and depression scores were all significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. The time taken for bowel sounds to return, flatus passage and bowel movement were all significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group, and the incidence of complications showed a downward trend. This indicates that multidimensional nursing interventions can effectively alleviate postoperative abdominal distension following caesarean section, promote gastrointestinal function and physical and mental recovery, and have positive implications for improving the quality of postpartum maternal rehabilitation

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