Effect of Foot Reflexology on Labour Pain and Outcome among Primipara

Abstract

Reflexology is a form of complementary and alternative medicine; it has gained popularity in the treatment of various conditions, including labour pain. Purpose: of this study was to assess the effect of foot reflexology on pain severity and outcome of labor among primipara. Hypothesis: primipara who practices foot reflexology in the study group will have less labour pain than those who don't practice in the control group. Also, primipara who practices foot reflexology will have fewer duration of labour than those who don't practice in the control group. A quasi-experimental design was utilized to fulfill the purpose of this study. A Purposive sample of 240 primipara was selected. A simple random sample was done to assign them in to a study group (120 primipara) and control group (120 primipara). Data were collected through three main tools: structured interviewing questionnaire, modified partographand numeric rating scale. Results: primipara in the study group had fewer duration of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stage of labour (302.00±31.06, 28.53±4.47 and 10.44±2.05) than primipara in the control group (348.39±17.81, 39.69±6.33 and 15.36±1.69). Conclusion: primipara who practiced foot reflexology in the study group had fewer labour pains than primipara who did not practice in the control group. Primipara who practiced foot reflexology in the study group had fewer duration of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stage of labour than primipara who didn't practice in the control group. Recommendation: foot reflexology is required for primipara at the delivery units.