Effectiveness Of Infra –Red Therapy In Accelerating Episiotomy Wound Healing Vs Standard Care Among Postnatal Women –A Randomised Control Trial (Epiheal Trial)
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Background: Episiotomy remains a common obstetric procedure associated with significant postpartum morbidity, including pain, delayed wound healing, and impaired quality of life. While infrared (IR) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in wound management, its application in postpartum perineal care remains underexplored.
Objective: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of IR therapy in episiotomy wound healing, pain reduction, and postpartum recovery.
Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at Saveetha Medical College & Hospital. 120 postpartum women with mediolateral episiotomies were randomized to receive either daily IR therapy (800-1000nm wavelength, 50-100mW/cm² intensity for 10 minutes) plus standard care (n=60) or standard care alone (n=60) for 7 days. Primary outcomes included wound healing (REEDA scale) and pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale). Secondary outcomes measured functional recovery, quality of life (QoL), and complications.
Results: The IR group demonstrated significantly better wound healing by day 7 (REEDA score 0.8 vs 2.1, p<0.001) and greater pain reduction (73% vs 43% VAS improvement, p<0.001). Functional recovery occurred 2-3 days faster in the IR group for sitting tolerance (4.2 vs 6.9 days, p<0.001) and mobility (2.1 vs 3.8 days, p<0.001). QoL scores were significantly higher in physical (82 vs 65), emotional (85 vs 70), and infant care domains (88 vs 75) (all p<0.001). No adverse effects were reported with IR therapy versus a 3.3% complication rate in controls (p=0.153).
Conclusion: IR therapy significantly improves episiotomy recovery, offering accelerated wound healing, superior pain relief, and enhanced functional outcomes. Its non-invasive nature and excellent safety profile support its integration into routine postpartum care protocols. These findings address a critical gap in perineal wound management and provide an evidence-based, drug-free option for optimizing maternal recovery
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