Evaluation of the effectiveness of multi-frequency ultrasound therapy in the treatment of lactational duct obstruction in postpartum women at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children

Abstract

Objectives: Lactational duct obstruction is a common breastfeeding-related condition that can adversely affect breastfeeding success and negatively impact the physical and psychological well-being of both mothers and infants. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of multi-frequency therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of lactational duct obstruction among postpartum women at Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children. Materials and Methods: A controlled interventional study with alternating allocation was conducted among 70 postpartum women (≤6 months postpartum) diagnosed with lactational duct obstruction and treated at the Department of Rehabilitation, Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children. Eligible participants were allocated into two groups: the intervention group received multi-frequency therapeutic ultrasound, while the control group received manual breast massage, with 35 participants in each group. Treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: The overall treatment success rate was significantly higher in the multi-frequency therapeutic ultrasound group than in the manual breast massage group (80.0% vs. 60.0%, p<0.05). Improvement in breast pain was observed in 97.1% of participants in the intervention group compared with 82.4% in the control group (p<0.05). Improvement in milk supply was also significantly greater in the intervention group than in the control group (80.0% vs. 50.0%, p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the improvement of breast engorgement (96.7% vs. 97.0%, p>0.05). Conclusion: Multi-frequency therapeutic ultrasound was more effective than manual breast massage in the treatment of lactational duct obstruction, resulting in greater pain relief and improved milk supply among postpartum women.