IACES News about Sciences and Health Specialities

Diabetes: Peripheral blood circulation, peripheral neuropathy (Self foot reflexology)

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the effect of self-foot reflexology on peripheral blood circulation, peripheral neuropathy and to determine the feasibility of self-foot reflexology as a nursing intervention.

Method: This was non equivalent control pretest-posttest study with 76 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (ages between 40-79) recruited from public health centers in Busan city. Intervention was a 6 week self-foot reflexology, and outcome variables were peripheral blood circulation and peripheral neuropathy (tactile response to monofilament, intensity of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy). ANCOVA was used to do the statistical analysis. A .05 significance level was set for evaluating the effects of self-foot reflexology.

Results: The self-foot reflexology was relatively effective not only in reducing peripheral neuropathy (especially tingling sensation and pain) but also in improving ability to sense the 10-g force monofilament.

Conclusion: Even though self-foot reflexology was not effective in improving peripheral circulation, it had good effect on improving peripheral neuropathy. Therefore self-foot reflexology can be used as a nursing intervention program for promoting foot care for patients with DM patients. Jeong IS., "Effect of Self-Foot Reflexology on Peripheral Blood Circulation and Peripheral Neuropathy in patients with Diabetes Mellitus," Journal of Korean Acad Fundamental Nursing 2006 Aug;13(2):225-234. Korean. College of Nursing, Pusan National University, Korea.

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