Effectiveness of foot reflexology for reduction of physiological and psychological symptoms among adult patients with cancer in International cancer centre Neyyoor at Kanyakumari district Tamil nadu

Abstract

Cancer is a group of more than 200 diseases characterized by controlled and unregulated growth of cells. It is a major health problem that occurs in people of all ethnicities. Cancer incidence overall is higher in women than in men in India. To determine the effectiveness of foot reflexology among adult patients with cancer by comparing the physiological and psychological symptoms between experimental and control group of patients with cancer before and after foot reflexology. To assess the correlation between the physiological and psychological symptoms of adult patients with cancer before and after foot reflexology among experimental and control group of patients. The conceptual framework for the study was developed on the basis of Lydia Hall Care, Core and Cure Model, which has been modified for the present study. An experimental research design was undertaken for the study. The independent variable was the foot reflexology and the dependent variable was physiological (pain ,nausea and vomiting) and psychological (depression and anxiety) symptoms . The data were collected after obtaining ethical clearance, setting permission and consent of the research participant. The study was conducted at International Cancer Centre, Neyyor. The tools were administered to the adult patients with cancer and the data obtained were analysed in terms of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Hence there was a statistical significant difference in the scores of pre test. Post test 1 and post test 2 in experimental and control group. So the hypotheses earlier framed was partially accepted by the investigator there by concluding that the foot reflexology was very effective in reducing physiological and psychological symptoms of cancer patients.