The Effect of Foot Reflexology and Therapeutic Touch on Fatigue, Depression and Quality of Sexual Life in Women

NCT ID: NCT06411652

Last Updated: 2025-07-31

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 108 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-02-27
• Study Completion Date: 2024-09-27

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine the effects of foot reflexology and therapeutic touch on fatigue, depression and sexual quality of life in women receiving hemodialysis treatment. Hemodialysis treatment may have negative effects on the quality of sexual life and mental health of female patients. In this context, understanding the potential healing effects of foot reflexology and therapeutic touch on sexual health and fatigue and depression in these individuals may contribute to the development of more effective support and treatment strategies.

Detailed Description

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stands out as a rapidly increasing important health problem globally. CKD is a universal public health priority associated with significantly higher morbidity and mortality and excessive health care costs. The most common form of renal replacement therapy is hemodialysis. In patients with chronic kidney disease treated with hemodialysis, the disappearance of the survival advantage of women over men in the general population deeply affects the life experience of women. Among the additional difficulties that women face in this process compared to men, the inability to maintain their emotional resilience, failure to comply with treatment, and failure to meet their social support needs come to the fore.

The problems caused by hemodialysis and chronic illness create a significant burden on women, both materially and spiritually, and negatively affect women's quality of life. Common and common conditions include sleep disorders, fatigue, depression and pain. In addition, higher levels of sexual dysfunction have been reported in women with hemodialysis, and it has been stated that loss of sexuality may reduce self-confidence and cause problems in marriage. Chronic hemodialysis patients, especially female patients, should be supported in terms of sexual dysfunctions and psychosocial conditions. Therefore, health professionals should evaluate the psychosocial lives of especially female patients and provide the necessary support. Health professionals' use of complementary approaches to reduce patients' problems and improve their negative emotional states increases the effectiveness of medical treatment.

Reflexology and therapeutic touch are among the low-cost and complication-free nursing interventions. These nursing interventions can be used together with medical treatments to reduce stress and balance the body. Studies indicate that reflexology application and therapeutic touch can be effective in improving sexual function and positive emotions. However, when the literature is examined, it is observed that there are no studies evaluating therapeutic touch intervention in women receiving hemodialysis treatment, and reflexology studies are quite inadequate. Therefore, our study aims to examine the effects of foot reflexology and therapeutic touch on fatigue, depression and sexual quality of life in women receiving hemodialysis treatment.

Conditions

Depression

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Reflexology Group

The researcher has received a practitioner reflexology certificate. The researcher will begin the massage during the second hour of dialysis, as the patient's condition is more stable and the unit is less crowded due to routine care. Before the intervention, the patient's privacy will be protected in the reflexology group; The researcher will sit in a chair at the foot of the patient's bed and perform a reflexology massage.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Reflexology

Intervention Type: OTHER

1. First, the patient's foot will be cleaned with cotton dipped in warm water,

2. In order not to disturb the patient, the hands will be warmed and one or two ccs of baby oil will be used to facilitate the massage.

3. Before applying the main technique, the first two minutes of each session will be spent using the relaxation technique, which involves back and forth movements with the palm of the palm on the outer edge of the foot, from the outer part of the ankle to the little toe, to relieve muscle tension and spasm.

4. Then, alternate pressure will be applied to the reflex points of the right thumb by taking the heel of one foot in the left hand.

Therapeutic Touch Group

In order to perform Therapeutic Touch application, the researcher attended the first level training prepared by the International Therapeutic Touch Association and received a certificate. For therapeutic touch application, the researcher will start the application in the second hour of dialysis, as the patient's condition is more stable and the unit is less crowded due to routine care. Therapeutic touch application will be applied to women in the hemodialysis care unit, twice a week for four weeks, for a total of 8 sessions, each lasting 15 minutes.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Therapeutic Touch

Intervention Type: OTHER

1. The procedure will be explained to the woman,

2. The procedure will be performed in the patient's bed.

3. The practitioner will center by making his body, mind and emotions quiet and focused, prepare himself for the practice and remain centered throughout the intervention,

4. There will be good intentions to help the woman get treatment,

5. In order to scan the energy field, the patient's entire body will be held with the palms of the practitioner's hands facing the patient, it will be moved with a soft movement from

Control group

No intervention will be made.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Reflexology

1. First, the patient's foot will be cleaned with cotton dipped in warm water,

2. In order not to disturb the patient, the hands will be warmed and one or two ccs of baby oil will be used to facilitate the massage.

3. Before applying the main technique, the first two minutes of each session will be spent using the relaxation technique, which involves back and forth movements with the palm of the palm on the outer edge of the foot, from the outer part of the ankle to the little toe, to relieve muscle tension and spasm.

4. Then, alternate pressure will be applied to the reflex points of the right thumb by taking the heel of one foot in the left hand.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Therapeutic Touch

1. The procedure will be explained to the woman,

2. The procedure will be performed in the patient's bed.

3. The practitioner will center by making his body, mind and emotions quiet and focused, prepare himself for the practice and remain centered throughout the intervention,

4. There will be good intentions to help the woman get treatment,

5. In order to scan the energy field, the patient's entire body will be held with the palms of the practitioner's hands facing the patient, it will be moved with a soft movement from

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Being sexually active
• Volunteering to participate in the research

Exclusion Criteria

• The patient is 65 years or older or under 18 years of age
• Having a communication problem

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

CANSU AĞRALI

Research Assistant at the Midwifery Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Cansu Ağralı

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Osmaniye Korkut Ata University

Locations

Osmaniye New State Hospital

Osmaniye, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

OsmaniyeKAU-SBF-CA-02

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id