Effects of Reflexology on Post-Operative Pain Severity after Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Patients at Surgical Units

Background: Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different
amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It is based on a theory that, these
body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. Aim: The study was
aimed to evaluate the effect of reflexology on post-operative pain severity after
laparoscopic appendectomy for patients at surgical units. Methods: A quasi
experimental research design was utilized to conduct this study in the general
surgery department at Benha University Hospital. A purposive sample of (60) adult
patients post laparoscopic appedectomy were included in this study. Three tools
were used; (Tool I) patients’ knowledge assessment questionnaire, (Tool II)
patients’ practice observational checklist and (Tool III) visual pain analogue scale
to assess pain severity. Results: This study showed that most patients (study group)
had an unsatisfactory level of total knowledge and inadequate total practice
regarding reflexology technique after laparoscopic appendectomy pre intervention
(22% and 2%). This result improved significantly regarding all knowledge and
practice elements post intervention, where the majority of patients (study group)
had satisfactory level of total knowledge and adequate total practice (82% and
95%). Also, there was marked improvement in pain severity among the study
group pre and post intervention.While, there was no improvement noticed in the
control group regarding their total knowledge, practice, and pain severity pre and
post intervention.Conclusion: The current study concluded that, performance of
the study group post intervention concerning pain severity has been greatly
improved after application of reflexology technique that supports the first and
second research hypotheses. Also, there was a significant negative correlation
between patients’ performance and pain severity immediate post intervention for
the study group that supports the third research hypothesis. The study
recommended continuous in-service training programs and repeating the study on
a high probability sample to achieve generalization of the findings.