Foot reflexology: A clinical study

The aim of the study was to investigate the possible usefulness of foot ref lexology on the recovery after a surgical intervention. 130 patients partic ipated in the study. They underwent abdominal surgery under full anesthesia for different, but exclusively gynecological reasons. Foot reflexology inv estigated in this study was applied only for a few days for each patient. T he following parameters were recorded: the subjective, self-assessed, gener al condition, pain intensity, movement of the bowels, micturition and sleep , beginning on the day before operation until day 10. Two other treatments served as controls, a simple massage of the foot or a personal conversation . The simple massage turned out to be a relaxing, positive experience, wher eas foot reflexology had various effects, some of them were even negative. The conclusion was that foot reflexology is not recommended for acute, abdo minal post-surgical situations in gynecology because it can occasionally tr igger abdominal pain. This project is one of the few studies planned, condu cted and performed by the nursing staff.