@article{article_1823821, title={The Effect of Cold Application After Episiotomy on Wound Healing, Pain, and Postpartum Comfort: Quasi-Experimental Study}, journal={Online Turkish Journal of Health Sciences}, volume={11}, pages={255–263}, year={2026}, DOI={10.26453/otjhs.1823821}, url={https://izlik.org/JA33SB28XZ}, author={Çevik, Esra and Çetinkaya, Serap and Kilıç, Hafize and Karamüftüoğlu, Devrim and Dinçer Tuna, Serpil}, keywords={Soğuk uygulama, epizyotomi, postpartum dönem, ağrı, konfor}, abstract={Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of cold application performed using a cold gel pad on wound healing, pain, and postpartum comfort in women who underwent episiotomy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design involving 102 women who underwent episiotomy during vaginal delivery (51 experimental, 51 control). A cold gel pad was applied to the experimental group, while the control group received routine postpartum care. Changes in REEDA Scale and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were measured at 0, 1, and 2 hours, and the PCQ was assessed at the 2-hour time point. REEDA and VAS scores were analyzed using Two-Way Mixed Analysis of Variance (Mixed ANOVA), while PCQ scores were analyzed using Student’s t-test. Results: Significant group time interactions were found for REEDA (F=16.985, p <0.001, partial η²=0.145) and VAS scores (F=35.962, p <0.001, partial η²=0.264), indicating greater reductions over time in the experimental group. At the 2-hour assessment, the total PCQ score was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (124.70±8.20 vs 120.33±8.74; p=0.011). Psychospiritual (p=0.025) and sociocultural comfort scores (p=0.015) were also significantly higher in the experimental group, whereas physical comfort scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.088). Conclusion: Cold therapy following an episiotomy reduced REEDA scores and pain levels during the early postpartum period and improved postpartum comfort scores. This practice may be considered as part of routine postpartum care.}, number={3}