Postepisiotomy pain: warm versus cold sitz bath.

A repeated measure experimental design (N = 20) was used to assess the effectiveness of a warm versus cold sitz bath in relieving postepisiotomy pain. Sensation, distress, edema, and hematoma ratings were obtained pre- and posttreatments. Both therapies were found comparable, with the exception that the cold bath was significantly more effective in reducing edema. Recommendations for further clinical research are presented. The recommendation for practice is that patients be offered a choice of therapies.