Effect of Reflexology Massage on Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Taxanes: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of reflexology in reducing chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer women receiving taxanes. Methods: The research was carried out at the hospitals' outpatient chemotherapy unit during the period spanning from June 1st to December 30th. Data were assessed using the Chemotherapy- Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT), Patients' Information on Disease Variables and the Patient Information Form. Analysis was performed by number, percentage, independent t-test, chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance test for repeated measures. Results: The participants were divided randomly into two groups: experimental (n=29) and control (n=29). During the 6-week intervention period, foot reflexology was administered to the experimental group, while the control group followed the clinic's standard protocol. Following the intervention, the average neuropathy symptom scores of the female participants in the experimental group did not increase significantly (p <0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the administration of foot reflexology has a positive impact on symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Keywords

• Chemotherapy
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Randomized Controlled Study
• Reflexology
• nursing

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