Effect of Foot Reflexology on Constipation and Fetal Movement During Pregnancy | ||
| Tanta Scientific Nursing Journal | ||
| Volume 32, Issue 1, February 2024, Pages 278-292 PDF (870.15 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/tsnj.2024.341034 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mohamed Saied Harfoush1; Mohamed Mustafa Abd Algany2; Violet Nicola Ghattas3; Eman Ahmed Rashad Elsakka4 | ||
| 1Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah-51418, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 2Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt | ||
| 3Assistant professor, Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt. | ||
| 4Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Many women experience constipation during pregnancy and nowadays, non- pharmacological approaches such as reflexology have gained more attention than pharmaceutical ones when it comes to treating pregnancy-related ailments. Aim of the study: Evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on constipation and fetal movement during pregnancy. Research design: A quasi-experimental (case-control) research design was utilized in this study. Settings: This study was conducted at the El-Helal Maternal and Child Health Centre in Damanhour City, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: Eighty pregnant women at 28-32 gestational weeks. Data collection tools: Tool I: Socio-demographic and clinical data; Tool II: Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS); and Tool III: Kick-chart. Results: In the reflexology intervention group, there is an improvement in constipation severity more than in the control groups, as it is clear that there are statistically significant differences between both groups in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks after the intervention (P = 0.024, 0.037, and 0.007, respectively). Fetal movement frequency increases in the reflexology intervention group more than in the control group, as there are statistically significant differences between both groups in the fourth and fifth weeks after the intervention (P = 0.001, P = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: Foot reflexology is a useful technique to relieve pregnancy-related constipation and a powerful way to improve fetal movement. Recommendations: Incorporate foot reflexology into routine antenatal care along with routine care provided by nurses to better manage pregnancy-related constipation and improve fetal movement. | ||
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