Effect of Foot Reflexology on Laboratory Tests after Kidney Transplantation Surgery: A Secondary Analysis of a Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial Study

Abstract

Foot reflexology has improved numerous physical and psychological symptoms in patients. The researchers in this study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on laboratory parameters, intake/output/weight and medication regimen after kidney transplant surgery. The research was a secondary analysis of a parallel randomized controlled trial. The research included patients who were admitted to the transplantation ward. The stratified randomization approach divided 53 eligible patients into two groups: foot reflexology and control. The intervention group was given 30 minutes of foot reflexology daily for three days while the control group received no reflexology. The intervention began on the second day following surgery. The demographic information questionnaire and information about laboratory tests and intake, output and weight were extracted from patients' records before, immediately and one week after the intervention. Before the kidney transplantation surgery and during the intervention, the laboratory tests of the two groups of foot reflexology and control laboratory tests were similar. During the intervention, no significant differences in intake, output, and weight values were found between the two groups of foot reflexology and control (P > 0.05). The present study showed that foot reflexology had no particular effects on laboratory tests, intake/output, weight and diet of patients after kidney transplantation. Further studies are needed to achieve more accurate results in this area.