The effect of foot reflexology on procedural pain before heel lancing in neonates
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
This study was designed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on alleviating term neonates' invasive pain caused by heel lance. In this quasi-experimental study, 60 healthy neonates were recruited and divided into a reflexology group (n=30) and a control (n=30) group. The study design was quasi-experimental since the randomisation method was not used in the assignment of newborns to the groups. While the reflexology group received foot reflexology for an average of 20min before heel lance, the control group received no intervention. The elicited data were analysed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test. The reflexology and the control groups were similar in terms of age, gestational week, Apgar score, weight, height, and sex (P>0.05). The Neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS) scores of the newborns in the reflexology group after the heel lance procedure were found to be significantly lower than those in the control group (P0.05). The application of foot reflexology before invasive procedures, such as heel lance in newborns, is an effective non-pharmacological method for reducing invasive pain. Thus, reflexology could be used to reduce neonates' pain and soothe them during painful procedures such as heel lance.
Key Findings: what this observational study found
- ✓Neonates who received foot reflexology for approximately 20 minutes before heel lancing demonstrated significantly lower Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) scores compared to the control group that received no intervention.
- ✓Foot reflexology was effective in alleviating procedural pain in term neonates undergoing heel lance procedures.
- ✓The reflexology and control groups were comparable at baseline across demographic and clinical characteristics including age, gestational week, Apgar score, weight, height, and sex.
What This Means for You
This moderate-quality study suggests foot reflexology before heel lancing may reduce newborn pain, though larger randomized trials would strengthen the evidence.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology applied for approximately 20 minutes before invasive neonatal procedures like heel lancing may be an effective non-pharmacological pain management tool to offer families.
Study Design: how this observational study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This moderate-quality study suggests foot reflexology before heel lancing may reduce newborn pain, though larger randomized trials would strengthen the evidence.
What did this study find?
Neonates who received foot reflexology for approximately 20 minutes before heel lancing demonstrated significantly lower Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) scores compared to the control group that received no intervention. Foot reflexology was effective in alleviating procedural pain in term neonates undergoing heel lance procedures. The reflexology and control groups were comparable at baseline across demographic and clinical characteristics including age, gestational week, Apgar score, weight, height, and sex.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 60 participants. It was published in Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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