Ercan Bakir1, Sevgin Samancioglu Baglama2, Savas Gursoy3. 1. Gaziantep University Health Science Faculty Nursing Department, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey. Electronic address: e.bakir02@gmail.com. 2. Gaziantep University Health Science Faculty Nursing Department, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey. Electronic address: sevginsamancioglu@hotmail.com. 3. Gaziantep University Medical Faculty, Department Of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey. Electronic address: savasgursoy@gantep.edu.tr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine the effect of foot reflexology on RA patients' pain and sleep quality. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial and was held at the "Rheumatology Follow-up Polyclinic" in Turkey between January-July 2015. A total of 60 patients were included in the research. A sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. Foot Reflexology was administered to the experimental group. RESULTS: The research found that the pain scores of the experimental group were statistically more significant than those of the control group (p < .01). The experimental group's average pain was reduced by the six weeks of foot reflexology. The total PSQI score of the experimental group was lowered. CONCLUSIONS: Foot reflexology is a non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce the pain and sleep deprivation symptoms of RA patients.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This study was intended to examine the effect of foot reflexology on RApatients' pain and sleep quality. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial and was held at the "Rheumatology Follow-up Polyclinic" in Turkey between January-July 2015. A total of 60 patients were included in the research. A sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. Foot Reflexology was administered to the experimental group. RESULTS: The research found that the pain scores of the experimental group were statistically more significant than those of the control group (p < .01). The experimental group's average pain was reduced by the six weeks of foot reflexology. The total PSQI score of the experimental group was lowered. CONCLUSIONS: Foot reflexology is a non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce the pain and sleep deprivation symptoms of RApatients.