A study to assess effect of foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathic pain among diabetic patients

Abstract

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a long-term complication of diabetes. Reflexology for neuropathatic pain works with the help of chemical, electrical, and nervous systems of the body – sending messages across to balance organs and parts in far reaching areas of the body. With neuropathy, reflexology has a great option of gently activating the damaged nerve fibers to send and receive correct nerve signals. Purpose: To assess the effect of foot reflexology on.neuropathic pain among diabetic patients. Objectives: To assess peripheral neuropathic pain before and after foot reflexology among diabetic patients, to compare peripheral neuropathic pain before and after foot reflexology among diabetic patients. Method: This was quantitative Quasi- experimental pre test post test control group design of 30 patients who were diabetic and had peripheral neuropathic pain, aged 31-60 years. The patients selected for study were diabetic patients who were suffering from peripheral neuropathic pain from Bharati Hospital and research centre Of Pune city. The data for study was collected from September 2017 to 30 March 2018. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of patients. To obtain necessary data for the study, the tool used for data collection was assessment of peripheral neuropathic pain by Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale. Results: The result shows that there was significant effect of foot reflexology on reduction of peripheral neuropathic pain after 7th days, 14th days and 21th days. Foot reflexology was effective in reduction of peripheral neuropathic pain among diabetic patients. So H1 was accepted i.e. There was significant effect of foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathic pain in diabetes mellitus patient. Conclusion: Foot reflexology was effective in reduction of peripheral neuropathic pain among diabetic patients.