In 2021, Anderson, et. al., conducted study about pain and nausea which are pervasive challenges faced by patients undergoing cancer treatment. To address this issue, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the potential benefits of foot reflexology as an adjunct to traditional nursing care for inpatients with cancer. While previous studies have shown encouraging outcomes, further investigation was warranted to confirm its efficacy.
A pilot study was conducted at a specialized 24-bed inpatient oncology unit, enrolling adult patients with cancer through convenience sampling. Among the 40 participants who provided consent, they were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Each group experienced a single treatment session lasting 20-25 minutes, during which pre- and post-session surveys were administered. The intervention group received foot reflexology, while the control group received only traditional nursing care.
The results of the study revealed compelling evidence supporting the use of foot reflexology in reducing pain among inpatients with cancer when compared to traditional nursing care alone. The positive effects on pain management were statistically significant, indicating the potential for foot reflexology to alleviate pain in this vulnerable population.
Additionally, while the impact on nausea was not found to be statistically significant, there were promising indications of its potential clinical relevance. The data analysis revealed that patients in the intervention group exhibited a decrease in nausea levels after the reflexology treatment, suggesting that foot reflexology may have a positive influence on nausea as well.
In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence that foot reflexology could be a valuable intervention for managing pain among inpatients with cancer. Although further research is needed to fully establish its effects on nausea, the observed reduction in nausea levels among participants indicates a potential benefit for this distressing symptom.
The findings of this randomized controlled trial offer hope for enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients during their hospitalization. As a non-invasive and complementary therapy, foot reflexology has the potential to augment traditional nursing care and contribute to improved well-being for individuals enduring the challenges of cancer treatment. Further studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous experimental designs are warranted to validate and expand upon these encouraging results.
Reference: Anderson, K. D., & Downey, M. (2021). Foot reflexology: an intervention for pain and nausea among inpatients with cancer. Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 25(5), 539.