Reflexology Massage and Hot Water Foot Bath for Pain and GI Recovery After Colorectal Surgery

Launched by ISTANBUL UNIVERSITY - CERRAHPASA · May 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how two simple treatments—reflexology massage and hot water foot baths—can help reduce pain and improve digestive recovery in patients after colorectal surgery. The goal is to find out if these methods can ease discomfort, nausea, and other issues that sometimes occur after surgery for colon or rectal cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the reflexology, the hot water foot bath, or standard care, helping researchers understand which method works best.

To join the study, participants must be at least 18 years old and scheduled for laparoscopic surgery due to a cancerous tumor in the large intestine. They should have a certain level of postoperative pain and agree to take part in the research. Those with specific health issues, like infections or previous experience with reflexology, will not be eligible. If you participate, you can expect to receive care that focuses on your comfort and recovery, and the findings may help improve treatments for future patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years of age or older,
• • Planning laparoscopic surgery for a malignant tumour in the large intestine,
• • The same method was used for preoperative bowel and GI tract preparation,
• • Postoperative Numerical Proportioning Scale (NRS) score of 3 and above,
• • Verbal and written acceptance to participate in the research.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • The patient has a temporary or permanent stoma,
• • Having a history of reflexology application before,
• • Open wound, infection, circulatory disorder, lesion, etc. in the areas where reflexology massage or hot water foot bath will be applied,
• • Patient-controlled analgesia in the early postoperative period
• • Having any problem that prevents verbal communication.