Effects of Reflexology and Progressive Muscle Relaxation on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Life during Chemotherapy in Gynecologic Cancer Patients

Authors: Dikmen Hacer Alan, Terzioglu FusunJournal: Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management NursesPublished: February 1, 2019DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2018.03.001

Q1 JournalSJR: 0.75h-index: 62SCImago

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=80 participants

Chemotherapy Side Effects Cancer Pain Management

In Plain Language: reflexology for chemotherapy side effects, explained

Our aim was to investigate the effect of reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on pain, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) of gynecologic cancer patients during chemotherapy. Eighty participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: reflexology, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises, both (reflexology + PMR), or a control group. Data were collected with a general data collection form, Brief Pain and Fatigue inventories, and Multidimensional Quality-of-Life Scale-Cancer. In reflexology and reflexology + PMR groups, a significant decrease in pain severity and fatigue and an increase in QoL were found (p .05). Reflexology and PMR exercises given to gynecologic cancer patients during chemotherapy were found to decrease pain and fatigue and increase QoL.

Key Findings

✓Reflexology alone significantly decreased pain severity and fatigue while increasing quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
✓The combination of reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises produced significant improvements in pain, fatigue, and quality of life outcomes.
✓Progressive muscle relaxation exercises alone were effective in reducing pain and fatigue and improving quality of life during chemotherapy treatment.

What This Means for You

If you're undergoing chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer, reflexology may help reduce pain and fatigue and improve your overall well-being, based on this moderate-quality study of 80 patients.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology demonstrated significant benefits for chemotherapy patients with gynecologic cancer, particularly when combined with progressive muscle relaxation, supporting its integration into supportive cancer care protocols.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

80 participants

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Reflexology for chemotherapy side effects: common questions

Does reflexology help with chemotherapy side effects?

If you're undergoing chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer, reflexology may help reduce pain and fatigue and improve your overall well-being, based on this moderate-quality study of 80 patients.

What did this study find?

Reflexology alone significantly decreased pain severity and fatigue while increasing quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The combination of reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises produced significant improvements in pain, fatigue, and quality of life outcomes. Progressive muscle relaxation exercises alone were effective in reducing pain and fatigue and improving quality of life during chemotherapy treatment.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 80 participants. It was published in Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.