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Therapies Reflexology
Research
Reflexology used for cancer patients
Ten minute reflexology treatments
can provide relief from pain, nausea and anxiety, according to a report
from the School of Nursing, Division of Science and Design, University of
Canberra, Australia.
Nurses at the School conducted an empirical study on the use of foot
massage as a nursing intervention in patients hospitalised with cancer.
The study was developed from the earlier work of Ferrell-Torry and Glick
(1992).
87 patients participated in the study and each
received a 10-minute reflexology foot massage (5 minutes per foot) . The
results revealed that the treatments produced a significant and immediate
effect on the patients' perceptions of pain, nausea, and relaxation, when
measured with a visual analog scale. The use of reflexology foot massage
as a complementary method is recommended as a relatively simple nursing
intervention for patients experiencing nausea or pain related to the
cancer experience. The results were so positive that the researchers
recommend that further research using larger numbers of patients in
controlled clinical trials into its effectiveness of reflexology in
alleviating pain, nausea and anxiety in the management of these symptoms
by the family at home is warranted.
Foot massage. A nursing intervention to
modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients
hospitalized with cancer. Grealish
L, Lomasney A, Whiteman B Cancer Nurs
2000 Jun;23(3):237-43
©
Internet Health Library 2000
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This page was last updated on 30 November 2006 14:46:26
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