Empowered Relief for Chronic Pain After Cesarean Delivery

This trial tests a special session called Empowered Relief to determine its effectiveness in reducing chronic pain 12 weeks after a cesarean delivery. The session consists of a one-time, two-hour class that teaches pain relief skills, offers pain education, and provides a personalized plan and app for daily use. Participants will continue their usual postpartum care. Women experiencing moderate to severe pain six weeks after a C-section and who are part of the Stanford Healthcare system may be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to access innovative pain relief strategies and contribute to valuable research.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team for guidance.

Research has shown that Empowered Relief is generally easy to handle. Studies comparing it to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have found Empowered Relief to be equally safe. Both treatments proved more effective than regular health education in reducing pain. Participants reported no major side effects from Empowered Relief, suggesting it is a safe method for managing pain, despite not being a traditional medication.¹²³⁴⁵

Empowered Relief is unique because it offers a non-pharmaceutical approach to managing chronic pain after a cesarean delivery. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medications like opioids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Empowered Relief is a single, 2-hour session that teaches participants pain management skills and provides them with tools like a binaural app for daily use. Researchers are excited about this approach because it empowers patients to manage their pain through education and personalized strategies, potentially reducing the reliance on medication and minimizing side effects.

This trial will compare the effectiveness of Empowered Relief, a 2-hour, one-time class, with standard postpartum care for managing chronic pain after cesarean delivery. Studies have shown that Empowered Relief can improve chronic pain and enhance quality of life. In one study, adults who attended this class reported noticeable improvements in their pain. The class teaches pain management through education, exercises, and personalized plans. Participants also receive a special app for daily stress and pain management. Overall, research suggests that Empowered Relief could effectively reduce chronic pain, especially for those recovering from a cesarean delivery.¹⁶⁷⁸⁹