Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy Induced Some Gastrointestinal Disturbances and Fatigue among Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background: Chemotherapy induced nausea, vomiting, retching and fatigue are the serious side effects experienced by patients with colorectal cancer. Reflexology is a complementary therapy in which practitioners have been interested in using it to reduce these side effects. The Purpose of the present study is to examine the effectiveness of foot reflexology on chemotherapy induced some gastrointestinal disturbance and fatigue among patients with colorectal cancer. Design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in department of clinical Oncology and nuclean medicine, at Menoufia University Hospital, Shebin Elkom, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A consecutive sample of (60) adult colorectal cancer patients of both sexes who are receiving chemotherapy. They assigned into two equal groups (study and control groups). Instruments: Three instruments were used in data collection: 1) Structured Interview Questionnaire, 2) Rhodes Index of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching 3) Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) Scale. Results: The results revealed that there were highly statistically significant differences between the studied groups according to their total score of nausea, vomiting and retching (P=0.000). Also, there were highly significant differences between the studied groups according to their total fatigue severity and its effect of daily activities (P=0.000). Conclusions: Foot reflexology had a positive effect on reducing some gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, retching) and fatigue that reflected on an improvement in daily activities. Recommendations: Patients and relatives should be taught about importance of foot reflexology during chemotherapy cycles.