This study aims to compare the effects of scapular posterior tilt exercises and cross-body stretching on breastfeeding efficiency, latch quality, and posture in postpartum women with rounded shoulders.
Mutiparous females.
previous cesarean section deliveries
Postpartum women between 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum.
Experiencing shoulder discomfort or poor posture
History of recent trauma or surgery such a Arthroscopy for Impingement Syndrome, Shoulder Replacement that affecting the shoulder complex.
Mother with history of breast cancer and hepatitis
History of shoulder surgery, trauma, or musculoskeletal disorders affecting the upper back/shoulder (Trapezius muscles train, Levator scapulae and rhomboid overuse)
Severe postnatal complications (e.g., mastitis, postpartum depression, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes.
Parallel
Scapular Posterior Tilt exercises
Other intervention* 3 sessions per week * Duration: 20-30 minutes per session * Total duration: 6 weeks
Cross-Body Stretching
Other intervention3 sessions per week, Duration: 20-30 minutes per session. for 6 weeks
BREASTFEEDING SELF EFFICACY SCALE:
The BSES-SF was a 14-item self-administered instrument derived from the original 33-item BSES that measured breastfeeding confidence. All items were preceded by the phrase "I can always" and were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (not at all confident) to 5 (always confident). Total scores ranged from 14 to 70, with higher scores reflecting more significant levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy.
Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool:
Jenny Ingram developed this tool in 2022; Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.77. The scale is a Likert-type scale comprising the 4 items of "positioning," "holding," "sucking" and "swallowing." Each item is scored between 0- 2 points. The lowest possible score on the scale is 0, the highest is 8. Lower scores indicate that the breastfeeding is not successful, the higher scores signify successful breastfeedin
APESC:
The APECS mobile app uses photo-based posture analysis and scores alignment across body segments using virtual markers. It has excellent reliability, with inter-rater ICCs above 0.90 for most measures and strong intra-rater consistency. Its validity is supported by its ability to detect postural differences between groups
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