Use of reflexology foot massage to reduce anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment: methodology and outcomes

Abstract

Reflexology foot massage can be considered a support treatment used in combination with traditional medical treatments and executed by an expert, qualified person to help cancer patients receiving chemotherapy feel better and also cope better with their disease.

Effect of Reflexology Foot Massage on Leg Cramps for Patients on Hemodialysis.

“…This finding is in harmony with Quattrin et al 2000) studies which revealed that reflexology massage improve physical activities (46,47,48,49,50) . Siev-Ner et al (2003) stated that when reflexology massage was applied 3 times for 2 weeks, it was noticed that by the end of the first week, that there was significant improvement in doing anything during the day, doing things around the house and rearranged the entire house (42) .…”

Foot Massage Modification to Reduce Blood Pressure in Pregnant Woman with Preeclampsia

“…Quattrin et al's (2006) study showed a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (p <0.001) and a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure (p <0.05) in cancer patients with chemotherapy after foot massage. In addition, Chacko's (2007) also found a significant reduction in blood pressure in post-surgical abdominal patients after foot massage (p <0.05).…”

“…Foot massage has also been found to have an effect on the reduction of lower limb edema in pregnancy (Coban & Sirin, 2010), decreased anxiety and depression in palliative care (Puthusseril, 2006), decreased agitation in dementia patients (Moyle, Johnston, & O'Dwyer, 2011 ), as well as decreased pain, depression, anxiety, stress, and weakness in cancer patients (Cassileth & Vickers, 2004;Quattrin et al, 2006;Falkensteiner et al, 2011;Kim & Oh, 2011). This study finding in line with Hayes and Cox'x's study found that a significant reduction of Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of 25 patients at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after foot massage (Smith et al, 2009).…”

Investigating the Effect of Reflexology in Intensity of Pain and Anxiety Among Patients Suffering From Metastatic Cancer in Adults’ Hematology Ward

“…The findings of these studies suggest that reflexology in patients with breast and lung cancer causes diminished pain and anxiety and decreased pain in metastatic cancer patients [16,17]. It has also led to lowered anxiety [18] in patients suffering from non-metastatic cancers undergoing chemotherapy. In the available studies, further research has been recommended to be conducted on this group of patients with a larger sample volume [16].…”