The effects of reflexology on pain and sleep deprivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study was intended to examine the effect of foot reflexology on RA patients' pain and sleep quality. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial and was held at the "Rheumatology Follow-up Polyclinic" in Turkey between JanuaryeJuly 2015. A total of 60 patients were included in the research. A sociodemographic data form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used. Foot Reflexology was administered to the experimental group. Results: The research found that the pain scores of the experimental group were statistically more significant than those of the control group (p <.01). The experimental group's average pain was reduced by the six weeks of foot reflexology. The total PSQI score of the experimental group was lowered. Conclusions: Foot reflexology is a non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce the pain and sleep deprivation symptoms of RA patients. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.