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Care to Caregiver: The Effect of Reflexology on Sleep and Anxiety of Cancer Caregiver

Care to Caregiver: The Effect of Reflexology on Sleep and Anxiety of Cancer Caregiver

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04125355
Enrollment
62
Registered
2019-10-14
Start date
2019-05-01
Completion date
2019-09-01
Last updated
2023-09-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anxiety, Sleep

Brief summary

Introduction and Aim: With the increase in life expectancy in cancer, it gains importance in the care process and the problems experienced by caregivers. However, the problems experienced by individuals caring for cancer patients are often ignored. The most common problems faced by cancer caregivers are sadness, anxiety, sleep disorders, and fatigue. Although reflexology has positive effects on sleep and anxiety in different patient groups, there is no study on its effectiveness in cancer caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology on sleep and anxiety of caregivers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a double-blind placebo-controlled design. After the groups were determined with block randomization, the reflexology investigation was applied to the experimental group for three consecutive days, while for the placebo group, the hands was moved around the foot for the same periods but no deep stimulation was applied. On the fourth day, a sociodemographic diagnostic form, state anxiety scale and Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale were administered to the participants by a blinded researcher. Data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 package program. Written permission was obtained from the relevant ethics committee, hospital and participants to conduct the study.

Detailed description

Introduction and Aim: With the increase in life expectancy in cancer, it gains importance in the care process and the problems experienced by caregivers. However, the problems experienced by individuals caring for cancer patients are often ignored. The most common problems faced by cancer caregivers are sadness, anxiety, sleep disorders, and fatigue. Although reflexology has positive effects on sleep and anxiety in different patient groups, there is no study on its effectiveness in cancer caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology on sleep and anxiety of caregivers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a double-blind placebo-controlled design. After the groups were determined with block randomization, the reflexology investigation was applied to the experimental group for three consecutive days, while for the placebo group, the hands were moved around the foot for the same periods but no deep stimulation was applied. On the fourth day, a sociodemographic diagnostic form, state anxiety scale, and Richard-Campbell Sleep Scale were administered to the participants by a blinded researcher. Data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 package program. Written permission was obtained from the relevant ethics committee, hospital and participants to conduct the study.

Interventions

OTHERReflexology

Foot reflexology massage for 3 consecutive days and 60 minutes per day.

OTHERPlacebo

Placebo for 3 consecutive days and 60 minutes per day. This intervention only include touch to the foot, it doesn't include deep stimulation.

Sponsors

Ege University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* care to cancer patients at least for 6 months

Exclusion criteria

* decline to participate in study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sleep3 dayQuality of sleep - richard campbell sleep questionnaire used to determine the quality of sleep of the patients. This questinairre used for both groups. The minimum total score in the scale is 0 and maximum is 600. The increase of the total score shows the increase the quality of sleep. the scale don't have any subscale
Anxiety3 dayLevel of Anxiety - The state anxiety inventory used to determine anxiety level of patients. This inventory used for both groups. The lowest total score of the scale is 20 and to highest is 80. the increase of the total points indicates the increase in anxiety. the scale don't have any subscale.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026