The Effectiveness of Foot - Reflexo - Massage on the Postoperative Pain of Gastrectomy Patients

Abstract

Background:The objects of this study were to determine the effects of foot reflexo massage on the postoperative pain of the subtotal gastrectomy patients according to quasi-experimental research design, and to provide demonstrative data for using the foot reflexo massage as an intervention for pain nursing.

Methods:The foot reflexo massages were performed on 34 subtotal gastrectomy patients after informed consent was obtained. They were divided into two groups, i.e. control group (n=17) and experimental group (n=17). After 6 hours and 12 hours from the subtotal gastrectomy, the massage was carried out on each foot for 10 minutes twice. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was employed as the measurement tools of pain, and the degree of postoperative pain was measured through frequency of prn (pro re nata) analgesia in chart review.

Results:The experimental group with foot reflexo massage 6 hours after the operation have significantly less score of postoperative pain than the control group (5.76+/-0.83, 4.35+/-1.0, p=.000). The experimental group with foot reflexo massage 12 hours after the operation have significantly less score of postoperative pain than the control group (5.12+/-0.53, 3.00+/-1.17, p=.000). The experimental group with foot reflexo massage have significantly less frequency of prn analgesics than the control group from six hours to twelve hours after the operation (p=.004).

Conclusions:It is considered foot reflexo massage is effective for reducing postoperative pain of subtotal gastrectomy patients, as well as useful for an immediate nursing intervention.