The effect of foot reflexology massage on pruritus in hemodialysis patients
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Pruritus is a common skin manifestation in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Pruritus has a negative impact on the quality of life of patients receiving hemodialysis. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on pruritus in hemodialysis patients. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 hemodialysis patients referred to Khatam-al-Anbiya and Ali-Ebne Abi-Taleb hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus scores obtained from the Pruritus Severity Scale (PSS) were included in the study. They were randomly divided into intervention and control groups using shuffling cards or envelopes. The intervention group received nine sessions of foot reflexology massage 3 days a week for 20 min (10 min on each foot) with an emphasis on the solar plexus point. The participants in both groups again completed the PSS 48 h after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 24, independent t-test, Chi-square test, and paired t-test. The results of this study demonstrated that foot reflexology massage significantly reduced itching or pruritus in hemodialysis patients (P P P = 0.59). Our findings showed that the foot reflexology massage could relieve itching or pruritus in hemodialysis patients. It is, therefore, recommended that it can be used as an effective intervention technique to alleviate itching in hemodialysis patients.
Key Findings: what this observational study found
- ✓Foot reflexology massage was administered to hemodialysis patients for nine sessions over three weeks, with 20 minutes per session focusing on the solar plexus point.
- ✓The study evaluated the effect of foot reflexology on pruritus severity using the Pruritus Severity Scale, measured at baseline and 48 hours after the intervention.
- ✓The research included 90 hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus who were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups to assess the effectiveness of reflexology massage.
What This Means for You
Foot reflexology may help reduce itching related to hemodialysis, though this is based on a moderately-sized study without a placebo control group.
What This Means for Practitioners
Foot reflexology with emphasis on the solar plexus point appears effective for hemodialysis-related pruritus and could be integrated into supportive care protocols with proper supervision.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
Foot reflexology may help reduce itching related to hemodialysis, though this is based on a moderately-sized study without a placebo control group.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology massage was administered to hemodialysis patients for nine sessions over three weeks, with 20 minutes per session focusing on the solar plexus point. The study evaluated the effect of foot reflexology on pruritus severity using the Pruritus Severity Scale, measured at baseline and 48 hours after the intervention. The research included 90 hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus who were randomly assigned to either intervention or control groups to assess the effectiveness of reflexology massage.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 90 participants. It was published in Journal of education and health promotion, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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