Effect of reflexology for well-being after abdominal hysterectomy

The research was conducted randomized controlled trial and experimentally in order to determine the effects of postoperative pain, anxiety, vital signs, fatigue, muscle tension, relaxation and satisfaction was carried out reflexology after abdominal hysterectomy. Research, has been applied to women who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy and lying in the intensive care unit and gynecology service in Ege University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, between September 2013-September 2014. The sample of the study, has a total of 63 women, which including the application meets the selection criteria sample of 32 survey and 31 control. Patient identification form, post-operative day follow-up form, State-Trate Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the evaluation of pain, fatigue severity, muscle tension, relaxation and satisfaction "visiual analog scale" were used as data collection tool. Women in the treated and control groups were followed for three days post-operative period. The treated and control group were randomized as reflexology and control groups are divided by the week they come. One week control group, a week reflexology group is selected. At the same time, women in the treatment and control groups, randomization according to their level of women dependency and Ramsey sedation scale has been selected. While postoperative women in the control group took only patient-controlled analgesic therapy (PCA), foot reflexology has been applied in addition to analgesic therapy to women in the treatment groups. Reflexology administered once a day for each woman in postoperative intensive care unit which Ramsay Sedation Scale was 2 points. Postoperative day 2 and 3 at the same time, the same procedures were repeated when patient transfers to service. Women in the experimental group, including reflexology 10 minutes to each foot was applied the designated area so that total of 20 minutes. Assessment scales applied before practice to women (0.minutes), immediately after practice (30 minutes) and after half an hour of practice (after 60 minutes), that are evaluated pain levels, anxiety, fatigue, muscle tension, relaxation and satisfaction levels. In addition, the blood pressure, heart rate and respiration levels were measured for assessing the sympathetic activity. Not made any attempt of women in the control group, postoperative 1st, 2nd and 3rd day as specified in the application group at the same time were evaluated blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, level of pain, anxiety, fatigue, muscle tension, relaxation and satisfaction levels. The analyses of the research data was used number, percentage, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact chi-square test, analysis of variance for repeated measures, Bonferroni correction t-test, Friedman ANOVA, Bonferroni correction Wilcoxon signed rank test, independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test. The distribution of women by socio-demographic characteristics is examined; the mean age of the women was 47.23±4.71 years, The women in the treatment group were 31.2% of middle school / high school that graduates, 78.1% were married, women in the control group was 38.7% of of middle school/high school that graduates, 77.4% were found to be married. Women in the experimental group was as a diagnosis 59.4% of "Fibroids + menorrhagia" and 81.3% of women undergo "TAH+BSO" operation, 51.6% of women in the control group diagnosed as "Fibroids + menorrhagia" and 80.6% of women undergo "TAH+BSO" operation. As a result, between the application and the control group, diastolic blood pressure, pulse and respiratory average was found that significant differences at certain times during the three-day measurements (p<0.05). As a result of the three-day follow-up, immediately after application of reflexology and after half an hour after application of reflexology treatments, pain, fatigue, muscle tension, trait anxiety scores in the average, statistically significant differences between treatment and control groups and was found to be significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the specified period, the average score in relaxation and satisfaction, which is a significant difference between treatment and control group, relaxation and satisfaction level of the treatment groups was found to increase significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). As a result, the foot reflexology, women had abdominal hysterectomy, leads to decreased pain, anxiety, fatigue, muscle tone, increased the level of relaxation and satisfaction and it was found to be statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Thus, applied after abdominal hysterectomy, women hospitalized in intensive care and gynecology service of foot reflexology, after surgery was found to be an effective nursing interventions that improve the wellbeing.