Caregiver-Delivered Foot Reflexology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caregiver-delivered foot reflexology on patients with cancer and their caregivers. A 2-group pre- and posttest design was used in this study, and the study was conducted in an oncology hospital between January 2016 and February 2018. The study included 60 patients and 60 caregivers. Caregivers performed interventions once a day for 15 days. Patients in the experimental group received reflexology, and patients in the control group were included in the reading session. Mean pain, anxiety, and fatigue levels significantly decreased for the patients who received foot reflexology from their caregivers for 15 days compared with patients in the control group. The mean care burden score of the caregivers in both groups decreased. Clinicians should teach caregiving practices such as foot reflexology and know that these practices are a positive influence on both patients and caregivers.

Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology–ASCO Guideline

“…However, study groups at baseline may have been imbalanced and there was no reporting of masking. 70,76 Overall, four studies demonstrated at least small benefits of foot reflexology with short-term interventions. No study reported significant adverse events.…”

“…141 Thus, the benefits of yoga for people with metastatic cancer and intervention duration in people with localized or regionally advanced cancer requires further study. Hypnosis RCT 9 Anxiety [39][40][41][42][43][44][45] Anxiety and depression 46,47 Mindfulness-based interventions SR 7 Anxiety and depression [48][49][50][51][52][53][54] RCT 7 Depression 55,56 Anxiety and depression [57][58][59][60][61] Music therapy and music-based interventions SR 4 Anxiety and depression [62][63][64][65] RCT 4 Anxiety [66][67][68] Reflexology RCT 9 Anxiety [69][70][71][72] Anxiety and depression [73][74][75][76][77] Relaxation techniques SR 4 Anxiety and depression [78][79][80][81] RCT 5 Anxiety and depression [82][83]…”

“…There were six RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of reflexology to reduce anxiety during active treatment. 69,70,[73][74][75][76] Two trials evaluated patients with breast cancer (N 5 286, 183), 73,74 two trials evaluated patients with gynecologic cancers (N 5 66, 62), 75,76 and one trial included patients with multiple cancers (N 5 60), 70 all undergoing chemotherapy; one trial evaluated postoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancers (N 5 61). 69 Reflexology interventions varied regarding the number and length of sessions, as well as the qualifications of reflexology providers.…”

“…69 Reflexology interventions varied regarding the number and length of sessions, as well as the qualifications of reflexology providers. Control procedures also varied across studies (eg, lay foot massage, 73 reading, 70 usual care, 69,73,74,76 and delayed intervention 69 ). Reduction in anxiety was reported in postoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancers, although the 1.1-point difference on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score may not be clinically meaningful.…”

“…However, study groups at baseline may have been imbalanced and there was no reporting of masking. 70,76…”