The Effect of Foot Reflexology Applied on Dialysis Patients

Reflexology is defined as a holistic treatment based on stimulating the nerves and blood circulation in the body by manually stimulating the reflex points in the hands and feet corresponding to all parts of the body, organs and systems. In the literature, there are many studies conducted in different samples to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology massage. Hemodialysis patients are also included in these samples. Hemodialysis patients are faced with many physical and emotional symptoms such as lifestyle changes, psychosocial effects, side effects due to treatment, during their treatment process. Nurses play an important role in alleviating and eliminating these complaints. Objective: It is aimed to determine the effect of foot reflexology applied to dialysis patients on sleep, anxiety and quality of life. Design: Randomized, controlled, prospective study. Setting: University Hospital Hemodialysis Center in Izmir. Patients: Forty patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. Interventions: Nine sessions of reflexology massage will be given to reflex points including the solar plexus, brain, pituitary, thyroid, diaphragm, upper lymphs, lung, spinal cord and adrenal glands. Main Outcome Measures: sleep, anxiety, and quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• Conscious and oriented with no communication problem
• Agreeing to participate in the study
• Receiving hemodialysis treatment 3 times a week for 6 months or more
• Patients who have no problem to apply massage; Those who do not have any skin lesions, burns, pathological diseases related to muscles and bones, phlebitis, embolism or bleeding disorder.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who have received hemodialysis treatment for less than 6 months.
• Patients with diabetic neuropathy
• Those who have any skin lesions, burns, open wounds, muscle and bone-related pathological disease, phlebitis, embolism or bleeding disorder in the foot.
• Patients with infection