Effects of therapeutic ultrasound in mammary engagement: pilot study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding is an important step in the reproductive process, providing benefits for both mother and child. Breast engorgement is a complication that occurs from the third to the fifth postpartum day. Therapeutic Ultrasound (UST) is widely used, and consists of an apparatus capable of producing high frequency acoustic energy. OBJECTIVE: to verify the acute effect of ultrasound in the therapeutic process of breast engorgement. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study, which evaluated the breast and classified the engorgement, besides evaluating the pain and the subjective perception of the breasts. The protocol with therapeutic ultrasound was administered at a frequency of 1Mh, pulsed mode, intensity / dose of 0.5w / cm2, active cycle of 20% with application time of 02 minutes per effective Radiation Area (ERA). After application, the infant was submitted to breastfeeding and a new breast evaluation was performed. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 4 women between 20 and 30 years of age with breast engorgement. The initial value of breast engorgement was 2 the median and the final value was 1 to median. Regarding breast pain, it was initially 5 median and the final 2 median. In all the analyzed cases there was improvement in pain, milk availability and breast engorgement aspect. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic ultrasound has been shown to be effective in reducing pain, increasing milk availability and improving the stiffness characteristic of breast engorgement.