2Department of Radiation Oncology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iranian
3Department of Biostatistics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iranian
4Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iranian DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2023.3752 OBJECTIVE
There is rare evidence of the effects of foot reflexology on quality of life (QoL) in patients with chemotherapy- induced neurotoxicity, this study aimed to determine the effects of foot reflexology on the QoL in colorectal cancer patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy.
METHODS
Eighty patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy Grade II-IV were randomly divided
into two experimental and control groups (40 patients in each group). The experimental group participated
in four reflexology sessions for 20 min once a week and the control group received only routine
care and medical treatment as directed by a doctor. Data were collected using the sociodemographic
characteristics form, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-CIPN20. Data were analyzed by SPSS version
25 using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
RESULTS
A comparison of the difference between the mean total score of QoL before and after 4 weeks" reflexology
sessions between the experimental and control groups revealed a significant statistical difference
(p<0.05). The mean total score of QoL 4 weeks after the intervention was higher in the experimental
group (48.3±19.5) than in the control group (26.2±15.2). With reflexology sessions, improvement of
sensory (p=0.01), motor (p=0.031), and autonomic (p=0.034) function were more prominent in the
experimental group.
CONCLUSION
The result of this study showed that foot reflexology relieved neurotoxicity associated with chemotherapy
which improved the QoL in colorectal cancer patients. Hence, this low cost and easy procedure can
be recommended as an effective technique.