Effects of Reflexology on Sleep Quality of Elderly Women Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorder is one of most prevalent complaints in elderly people. Tension\rreduction can be effective in improving sleep quality. In this regard, reflexology can be effective\rin reducing anxiety and tension. This study aimed to determine reflexology effects on sleep\rdisorders of elderly women undergoing abdominal surgery.\rMethods: This study was a non-randomized clinical trial (quasi-experimental). A total of 80\relderly women undergoing abdominal surgery were selected by continuous sampling method\rand simple random selection of two hospitals (Hazrat-e-Rasool [PBUH] and Firouzgar). Then,\rthey were assigned in experimental and control groups. The study instrument was sleep quality\rquestionnaire (PSQI). Descriptive statistics included calculating mean and standard deviation\rand inferential statistics were performed through the independent t-test and paired t-test.\rResults: There was no significant difference in terms of quality of sleep (P=0.504) between\rcontrol and experimental groups, before the intervention. Also, There was no significant difference\rbetween means of quality of sleep scores (P=0.606) before and after the intervention in the control\rgroup. However, there was a significant difference between the means of quality of sleep scores\r(P=0.048) before and after the intervention in the experimental group. Finally, the means of\rquality of sleep scores of two groups after the intervention was significantly different (P<0.001).\rConclusion: Considering the significant effect of reflexology on improving the quality of sleep\rin elderly women undergoing surgery, it is recommended that this simple technique (which is\ravailable and low-cost as an alternative medicine) be used in reducing the postoperative pain and\rimproving the quality of sleep of patients