Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hemodialysis School Age Children on Fatigue and Sleep Quality

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis clients experience exhaustions for many reasons, including toxic components in the blood stream, fluid - electrolyte disturbances, irregular power consumption, anemia and distress. Even after rest, this feeling of exhaustion continues and it is difficult and sleeplessness is prevented. The aims of this research was to: Evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on hemodialysis school age children on fatigue and sleep quality. Design: To meet the study's objective, quasi-experimental research design was used. Sample: A purposive sample of children on school age on maintenance hemodialysis (n=30), those who received regular hemodialysis more than two times a week within at least three months, had no communication problems and had no other medical conditions, such as juvenile diabetes, cancer. Setting: this study was conducted at pediatric nephrology outpatient clinic in waiting room before the child take hemodialysis session and pediatric hemodialysis center at Minia city General Hospital. Data collection tools: Three tools have been used (1); Pre / post - test questionnaire. (2) The second tool; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. (3) Third tool Inventory symptoms of fatigue. Results: The research findings demonstrates that fifty percent of the participants had excessive fatigue, while the minority had moderate fatigue before intervention and improved to a higher level of study sample, which had moderate fatigue after post - testing. While most of the study samples have sleep disorder before foot reflexology is used in pre - test and in post - test, it was found that after intervention, many of the subjects studied reported fairly good sleep quality. Conclusion: The application of foot reflexology to school - age children with hemodialysis shows an improvement in sleep quality and a decrease in fatigue level. Recommendation: Continuous evaluation of the presence or development of fatigue or sleep problems in patients with hemodialysis. Researchers are also required to compare reflexology with other alternative / complementary therapies (e.g. massage, healing touch, response to relaxation).