Comparing the Effect of Foot and Hand Reflexology on Pain Severity after Appendectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Appendicitis is one of the main causes of acute pain. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of foot and hand reflexology on pain severity following appendectomy. This clinical trial was conducted on 38 patients undergoing appendectomy in Alimoradian Hospital of Nahavand, Iran, in 2016. The samples were selected using convenience sampling, and then, randomly assigned to hand and foot reflexology groups via simple random sampling. In the foot reflexology group, the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the feet were lubricated using natural olive oil for five minutes. Next, reflexology was done by applying pressure to the appendix reflex area for 20 minutes. The same intervention was applied in the hand reflexology group. The severity of pain was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before the intervention and one, three, and 24 hours after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, One-way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA. The results of one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in the mean pain severity between the two groups (p = 0.771), whereas pain severity in the foot reflexology group was significantly lower than that of the hand reflexology group after the intervention (t = 1.63, p = 0.001). The results of this study showed that foot reflexology was more effective than hand reflexology in pain alleviation.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Both foot and hand reflexology were applied to appendectomy patients by massaging reflex areas with olive oil for 20 minutes to treat post-surgical pain.
- ✓Pain severity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale at multiple time points: before intervention, and at 1, 3, and 24 hours after treatment.
- ✓The study compared the effectiveness of foot reflexology versus hand reflexology as interventions for reducing acute pain following appendectomy surgery.
What This Means for You
While this small study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce post-surgical pain better than hand reflexology, the evidence is limited and you should discuss any pain management with your doctor.
What This Means for Practitioners
Consider focusing on foot reflexology for post-operative pain management, though larger studies are needed to confirm effectiveness and establish best practices.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
While this small study suggests foot reflexology may help reduce post-surgical pain better than hand reflexology, the evidence is limited and you should discuss any pain management with your doctor.
What did this study find?
Both foot and hand reflexology were applied to appendectomy patients by massaging reflex areas with olive oil for 20 minutes to treat post-surgical pain. Pain severity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale at multiple time points: before intervention, and at 1, 3, and 24 hours after treatment. The study compared the effectiveness of foot reflexology versus hand reflexology as interventions for reducing acute pain following appendectomy surgery.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 38 participants. It was published in Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Looking for a reflexologist?
Find practitioners who can help with the conditions studied in this research.
Find a Reflexologist