Effects of Far Infrared Radiation and Sitz Bath on Perineal Wound Healing and Pain in Primiparous Women Undergoing an Episiotomy: A Randomized Prospective Parallel Arm Study.

Introduction Episiotomy is a common surgical procedure done during childbirth. The study aims to assess the efficacy of far-infrared (FIR) and sitz bath (SB) effects on pain relief and healing of perineal wounds in primiparous women who had undergone an episiotomy. Materials and methods A randomized prospective parallel arm study was conducted among 208 primigravida women who underwent episiotomy in a tertiary hospital in the southern part of India from December 2020 to March 2022. Participants were randomized into the FIR (n-104) and SB therapy groups (n-104) and their efficacy was assessed for pain relief and healing of perineal wounds using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Redness, Oedema, Ecchymosis, and Discharge, the Approximation Scale (REEDA) and the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS). The variables were compared using an independent two-sample t-test and chi-square test (p ≤ 0.05). Results Pain was evaluated using VAS, and by the sixth week postpartum, 90.4% (94) of the FIR group reported mild to no pain compared to 88.5% (92) of the SB group. Wound integrity assessment using the REEDA scale showed better results among the FIR group (94, 90.4%) than the SB group (93, 89.4%) on the second day postpartum. Perineal muscle tone, measured by the MOS, was slightly better in the FIR group (59, 62.8%) than the SB group (55, 59.8%) at the sixth week postpartum, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion FIR therapy reduces postpartum discomfort, promotes wound healing, and improves perineal muscle tone better than SB therapy. FIR also enhanced patient compliance and efficacy.