Effects of Reflexology on Sleep Quality of Elderly Women Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Background: Chronic mental illnesses affect cognitive status and behavior, which lead to social and communication impairment and behavioral problems. This research investigated the influence of communication skills training on aggression and quality of life of the patients with chronic mental illnesses. Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest. First, a total of 30 patients with chronic mental illnesses were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Next, they were randomly assigned into the control and experimental groups. The experimental group received techniques of communication skills for 10 sessions (each session 60 minutes, one session per week). The research instruments were The World Health Organization Quality of Life and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted through analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: Our findings indicated that the means of quality of life scores (F=41.62, P=0.001) and aggression (F=11.30, P=0.002) were significantly different between research groups after the intervention. Conclusion: Communication skills training improve behavioral problems and quality of life in patients with chronic mental illnesses. Thus, it is necessary to use these skills to prevent and decrease behavioral problems and promote social skills in patients with mental disorders.

The effects of sleep hygiene education and reflexology on sleep quality and fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy

“…the results were similar to our results: the mean post-test scores of elderly women who did not have reflexology after abdominal surgery increased while their sleep quality decreased (Kheyrı, Bastanı, & Haghanı, 2016). Naseri et al found that patients with acute coronary syndrome had a decreased sleep quality when they were not given reflexology and foot baths (Naseri, Rahmani, Nerir, Salari, & Farahani, 2016).…”

“…In the literature, it has been determined that the patients receiving chemotherapy experience sleeping problems and their quality of life is adversely affected (Can, ; Hughes et al, ; Nazik et al, ). In a randomized controlled study which was conducted by Kheyri et al, the results were similar to our results: the mean post‐test scores of elderly women who did not have reflexology after abdominal surgery increased while their sleep quality decreased (Kheyrı, Bastanı, & Haghanı, ). Naseri et al found that patients with acute coronary syndrome had a decreased sleep quality when they were not given reflexology and foot baths (Naseri, Rahmani, Nerir, Salari, & Farahani, ).…”

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Sleep after Kidney Transplantation Surgery: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A 19-point difference between the two groups shows the clinical importance of foot reflexology for the quality of sleep. Few studies have investigated the effect of reflexology on the quality of sleep of the patients after kidney transplantation surgery or other surgeries [ 26 ]. According to Kheyri et al, elderly women in the intervention group received foot reflexology twice a day (morning and night for 20 minutes) on the second and third days after abdominal surgery.…”

“…According to Kheyri et al, elderly women in the intervention group received foot reflexology twice a day (morning and night for 20 minutes) on the second and third days after abdominal surgery. The results of this study showed the improvement of quality of sleep in elderly women in the intervention group compared with the control group [ 26 ]. Several studies have also confirmed the positive effects of the foot reflexology on quality of sleep of the hemodialysis patients [ 28 , 57 ].…”

“…In addition, touch and massage of reflex points in the foot may reduce patients' pain. Diseases are caused by the blockage of energy in the body, and stimulation of reflex points may eliminate these obstructions and release energy in the body [ 26 ].…”