NCT04564131

Reflexology in Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Management

The Effect of Reflexology Massage Applied to Diabetic Neuropathic Pain on Patients Quality of Life

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 128 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Istanbul Saglik Bilimleri University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Reflexology massage, applied by applying pressure to any point on the feet, is one of the most popular complementary treatments in the world. Given the negative impact of neuropathic pain on quality of life and the limited effectiveness of traditional medicines, it is important to investigate the effects of various complementary therapies available, including reflexology massage. Therefore, the study was planned as a prospective randomized controlled experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design aiming to investigate the effect of reflexology massage for neuropathic pain on pain intensity and quality of life in diabetic individuals.

Detailed description

Pressure will be applied to the relevant reflex areas of the foot based on the individual's pain area. In order to standardize the application, the procedure will start with the left foot and end with the right foot. Both feet will be massaged using petroleum jelly for 5 minutes of relaxation movements, 5 minutes of general foot massage and 5 minutes of standing and reflex area corresponding to the painful body area. 5 more minutes will be applied to the left foot in order to increase the endorphin secretion and reduce the pain by activating the parasympathetic system. Reflexology massage will be applied for a total of 35 minutes in one session. Each reflexology area will be stimulated 15 times, as less than 10 stimulation to a particular reflexology area does not produce any therapeutic effect and more than 20 stimulations will be excessive. A total of 3 follow-ups will be done throughout the study. In the follow-up sessions; Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4), The Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) , Neuropathic Pain Impact on Quality-of-Life questionnaire (NePIQoL) scales will be applied, foot assessment and SWMI test will be applied. The 1st follow-up will be done before any intervention in the 1st session, the 2nd follow-up will be done after the reflexology application in the 5th session, and the 3rd follow-up will be done after the reflexology application at the 10th session . There will be a break of at least one day between two sessions to relax the body and eliminate toxins.

Conditions

• Reflexology
• Neuropathic Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Reflexology	* Hands are washed. * The individual is provided to be in a comfortable position to lie down or to be in a semi-sitting position. * The toes of the patient are crossed and the patient's feet are placed at our chest level when we sit. * Depending on the size of the foot, a slightly moisturizing amount of non-allergenic petroleum jelly is taken, and it is spread to provide slipperiness. * Exercises to warm and relax the feet for five minutes. * General massage is applied to the whole foot for five minutes. * Reflexology massage is applied to the application areas for neuropathic pain. * The individual is helped to take a comfortable position. * Hands are washed.
OTHER	Control	No intervention was performed to reduce pain in the control group

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-04-01
• Primary completion: 2021-07-01
• Completion: 2022-04-01
• First posted: 2020-09-25
• Last updated: 2020-09-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)