Reflexology in the management of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: A pilot randomized controlled trial

No Thumbnail Available

Date

2018

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier Sci Ltd

Access Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess

Abstract

Purpose: The current experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology on the management of symptoms and functions of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer patients. Method: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial in 60 patients (30 experimental and 30 control patients) who had chemotherapy-induced Grade II-IV peripheral neuropathy complaints from July 2013 to November 2015. Data were collected using the patient identification form, European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (EORTC-CIPN-20) form, and BPI (used for related chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms). Results: The majority of the patients were being treated for gastrointestinal or breast cancer and were primarily receiving Eloxatine- or taxane-based treatment. It was found that reflexology applications did not lead to differences in either group in terms of peripheral neuropathy severity and incidence (p > 0.05) and only led to improvement in sensory functions in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It was determined that reflexology is not an effective method in the management of patients' activity levels, walking ability etc. and motor, autonomic functions related CIPN, but reflexology is effective method in the management of patients' sensory functions related CIPN. Key Words: Peripheral neuropathy, reflexology, chemotherapy, EORTC QLQ-CIPN-20, BPI.

Description

Keywords

Peripheral Neuropathy, Reflexology, Chemotherapy, EORTC QLQCIPN-20, BPI, Acupuncture

Journal or Series

European Journal Of Oncology Nursing

WoS Q Value

Q1

Scopus Q Value

Q1

Volume

32

Issue

Citation