The Effect of Ginger on Preventing Post-spinal Puncture Headache in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section

Abstract

Objectives: Post-spinal puncture headache (PSPH) has constantly been one of the research priorities, especially in women undergoing cesarean section (C-section) and it is related to physical and psychological problems. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ginger on preventing PSPH in patients undergoing C-section. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 160 women undergoing C-section with spinal anesthesia, who were eligible to enter the study in the experimental and control groups. One ginger capsule (250 mg) was prescribed every 8 hours (TDS) to the experimental group 24 hours before the C-section. The prescription of ginger was continued half an hour after transfer to the post-partum ward until the PSPH onset. PSPH intensity was measured by using visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at 6 timepoints (Time 1=30, Time 2=60, and Time 3=90 minutes vs. Time 4=3, Time 5 =6, and Time 6=12 hours) after C-section. No interventions were performed in the control group. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software by descriptive statistics and analytical tests were applied to determine the changes in PSPH intensity. Results: The comparison results of the mean score of PSPH intensity in the experimental and control groups indicated significant differences over time (P<0.05), except for the sixth time point (12 hours after C-section). In addition, the trend of changes at 6 timepoints based on the results of the repeated-measures test demonstrated that PSPH intensity significantly differed in the two groups over time (P<0.001). Conclusions: Based on the result, the oral prescription of ginger to women undergoing C-section under spinal anesthesia led to effective PSPH prevention at 5 time-points (30, 60, and 90 minutes, along with 3 and 6 hours). Further, the trend of the changes represented that the intensity of PSPH decreased in the experimental group over time. Therefore, ginger is suggested as a noninvasive and efficient method used for preventing PSPH.