The Effects of Reflexology on Fatigue Severity of Patients with Cancer

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Science, Ilam, Iran.

2 Nursing Department, Faculty of nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran.

4 Students Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is a major threat to women’s health and a common factor that can reduce their life
expectancy. Complementary medicine such as reflexology is known to reduce fatigue severity in cancer patients. The
present study aimed to cultivate the effect of reflexology on fatigue severity of patients with breast cancer. Methods:
The present pre-post clinical trial recruited 57 patients with breast cancer and involved an experimental and a control
group. All patients were livening in Ilam, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (N=27)
and control (N=30). The experimental group received reflexology for 4 sessions. Data were collected using Fatigue
severity scale (FSS) and demographic information questionnaire. FSS was completed by the patients twice; before the
intervention and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS and running t-test and ANOVA. Results:
Results showed no significant difference in fatigue severity between experimental (45.44±5.30) and control (43.66±7.68)
groups prior to the intervention (p>0.05). However, after conducting the intervention, a significant difference in fatigue
severity was seen between the experimental (20.66±4.54) and control (40.36±9.58) groups (p=0.000). Conclusion: The
present study showed that reflexology decrease fatigue severity in patients with breast cancer and community health
nursing can to use of these complementary medicine to increase patients health conditions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 20, Issue 2
February 2019
Pages 391-394

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 September 2017
  • Revise Date: 11 October 2018
  • Accept Date: 06 December 2018

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