Impact of Foot Reflexology Versus Simple Massage on Vital Signs, Anxiety, and Pain During Blood Transfusion Among Children With Thalassemia

Q: Does reflexology help with anxiety?

If your child has thalassemia and needs blood transfusions, foot reflexology may help reduce their anxiety and pain during the procedure, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Q: What did this study find?

Foot reflexology and simple massage were evaluated as non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce pain, anxiety, and vital sign alterations in children with thalassemia undergoing blood transfusions. The study compared 60 children with thalassemia aged 2-13 years, with 30 children receiving foot reflexology and 30 children receiving simple massage during transfusion procedures. Anxiety and pain were measured using standardized instruments including the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scale and visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of each intervention.

Q: How strong is this evidence?

This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Cureus, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.

Authors: Jadhav Sunita K, Naregal Prakash M, Mohite Vaishali R, Karale Rajashri BJournal: CureusPublished: August 1, 2024DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67876

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.35h-index: 38

Moderate EvidenceObservationaln=60 participants

Anxiety High Blood Pressure

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

Introduction Children with thalassemia often require repeated invasive treatments and frequent hospitalizations, resulting in pain, anxiety, and altered vital signs. Implementing non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and inexpensive complementary practices can benefit both the child and their family. Aim This study aimed to evaluate the impact of foot reflexology versus simple massage on vital signs, anxiety, and pain induced by blood transfusions in children with thalassemia. Materials and methods An experimental study was conducted on 60 children with thalassemia; children aged 2-13 years were selected by systematic random sampling. The participants were separated into two groups: 30 children received foot reflexology and 30 children received a simple massage. Data were collected using a self-structured demographic profile, vital signs record sheet, standard Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scale, and visual analog scale (VAS). Paired and unpaired t-tests were used to evaluate the effects of the interventions. The chi-square test was utilized to evaluate the relationship between demographic and dependent variables. Result Foot reflexology showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) in anxiety and pain. The simple massage group showed a significant effect on temperature, anxiety, and pain. Both groups demonstrated a significant impact (P < 0.05) on systolic blood pressure and pain after the intervention. Conclusion Most children were diagnosed with thalassemia during infancy, had a history of both parent's thalassemia minor, and were Rh+ve. Foot reflexology was more effective in reducing anxiety and pain than simple massage. Additionally, foot reflexology had a significant effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while simple massage significantly affected temperature in children with thalassemia.

Key Findings: what this observational study found about anxiety

✓Foot reflexology and simple massage were evaluated as non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce pain, anxiety, and vital sign alterations in children with thalassemia undergoing blood transfusions.
✓The study compared 60 children with thalassemia aged 2-13 years, with 30 children receiving foot reflexology and 30 children receiving simple massage during transfusion procedures.
✓Anxiety and pain were measured using standardized instruments including the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scale and visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of each intervention.

What This Means for You

If your child has thalassemia and needs blood transfusions, foot reflexology may help reduce their anxiety and pain during the procedure, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.

What This Means for Practitioners

This study suggests foot reflexology may be more effective than general massage for managing transfusion-related anxiety and pain in pediatric thalassemia patients, providing evidence to support offering reflexology as a complementary therapy in clinical settings.

Study Design: how this observational study was run

Sample Size

60 participants

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

If your child has thalassemia and needs blood transfusions, foot reflexology may help reduce their anxiety and pain during the procedure, though more research is needed to confirm these findings.

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology and simple massage were evaluated as non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce pain, anxiety, and vital sign alterations in children with thalassemia undergoing blood transfusions. The study compared 60 children with thalassemia aged 2-13 years, with 30 children receiving foot reflexology and 30 children receiving simple massage during transfusion procedures. Anxiety and pain were measured using standardized instruments including the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R) scale and visual analog scale (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of each intervention.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Cureus, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.