Dissertation

An Exploration of the Therapeutic Outcomes of Reflexology and Relaxation Interventions for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Mackereth, Peter A

2005

Overview

The study aimed to evaluate the use of reflexology in improving the psychological and physical profile associated with multiple sclerosis. The evaluation was judged against outcomes achieved from supervised progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training, both provided by nurse therapists. A crossover design was chosen to compare the interventions, with a four-week break between treatment phases. Short-term measures (pre and post weekly session) of blood pressure, heart rate, state anxiety inventory (SAI) and Salivary cortisol levels were included. Measures of health outcome (SF-36 and GHQ 28) were administered to evaluate change for each treatment phase. A pilot study (n=14) was completed then a larger study (n=50) followed, funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The results identified statistically significant changes for within session measures for both treatments. Overall there were statistically significant changes in state anxiety (SAI), favouring reflexology. Changes in salivary cortisol levels were significant, pre and post the treatment phases and within sessions, favouring reflexology. Significant difference was also found for within session changes for Systolic pressure, favoured PMR. There were carry-over effects with improved mean scores for some SF-36 and GHQ 28 subscales after the four-week break, favouring reflexology, but not robust enough to be statistically significant. Analysis of the first phase of treatments only, identified SAI changes as significant favouring reflexology, but with systolic pressure differences favouring relaxation. Individual group analysis identified that both groups gained statistically significant improvements with reflexology in many of the SF-36 and GHQ 28 subscales. SAI changes over the weeks were significant for Group 2 receiving reflexology as a first treatment. Systolic pressure and heart rate differences were identified as statistically significant for reflexology for Group 2 as a first treatment only. Cortisol changes over the weeks were significant for Group 2 with PMR as a second treatment. Within session changes in systolic pressure were significant only with PMR for both groups. Audiotapes of the reflexology sessions revealed disclosures of worry and concerns and therapist-patient interactions. The project included an exploratory analysis of the effects of demographic variables; these findings are viewed as tentative, given the small numbers in the subgroups. New information has been obtained from this explorative study, including reduction in anxiety, with greater changes overall for reflexology. The differences observed for some of the demographic variables will also be of interest to future researchers. The analysis of audiotapes identified that reflexology also provided the majority of participants with the time and space to share worries and concerns, and receive additional support and advice from the nurse therapists.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Medicine / Physical therapy
• ISBN: 1392023114, 9781392023112