Comparison of the Effect of Foot Reflexology and Foot Rub Olive Oil on Asthma Control Adequacy.

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Finding non-invasive and low cost cure with fewer side effects such as reflexology for asthma may be a necessity. The reflexology techniques can be taught to the patients to apply it themselves. Otherwise, olive oil rubbing into skin is known as a treatment method. Materials/Patients and Methods: This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial and comprised two experimental groups (a group of foot reflexology and other foot rub olive oil) and a control group (without intervention) before and after study. 45 adult patients with asthma who referred to pulmonary clinic of Imam Khomeini hospital in Ardabil were chosen. Our primary outcome was the asthma control adequacy. We taught interventions to participants who were in two experimental groups and they performed technics for ten sessions. Results: Finally 12, 13 and 20 patients were assigned randomly in the reflexology, olive oil, and control groups respectively and analyzed. There was significant difference in asthma control adequacy in three groups before and after study (p=0.005). In two experimental groups, there were significant differences both with (p=0.005) in asthma control adequacy before and after interventions. There was significant difference in asthma control adequacy between three groups before and after study (p<0.0001). The estimated effect size and its precision in reflexology and olive oil groups were .78(10) and .80(10) respectively. Discussion: Our results showed that the foot reflexology and foot olive oil rubbing affect asthma control adequacy. But the researcher recommended that for the better improve in asthma control, these two interventions would be performed together.