Effect of foot reflexology and music therapy on cancer pain

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect and the possible mechanism of foot reflexology and music therapy on cancer pain intervention.Methods 90 Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal therapy,palma reflexology massage; palma reflexology massage plus music therapy,30 patients in each group.Evaluated pain score by changhai pain rating scale,and tested patients' peripheral plasma concentration of β-endorphin、prostaglandin E2 and epinephrine by ELISA.Results Patients' pain score reduced to varying degrees,but no statistical differences were found among three groups with regard to pain score and serum concentration of β-endorphin,prostaglandin E2 and epinephrine 3 days post intervention (P ＞ 0.05 ).the pain score was (4.21 ± 0.67 ),(2.12 ± 1.39 ) and ( 1.88 ± 0.77) respectively in normal therapy group,palma reflexology massage group and palma reflexology massage plus music therapy group ( F =21.99,P ＜ 0.05 ),Statistical differences were found between 3 days and 6 days post intervention among internal palma reflexology massage and palma reflexology massage plus music therapy separately with regard to serum concentration of prostaglandin E2 and epinephrine ( P ＜ 0.05 ),whereas no statistical differences were found be tween the two groups at the two time points (P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Palma reflexology massage can alleviate cancer pain; its mechanism may be due to its psychological effects,stimulating the modulation effect of meridians and collaterals,modifying pain-related cytokines secretion. Key words: Cancer pain; Palma reflexology massage; Music therapy; Mechanism