Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Sciences

Background: Reflexology treatment is a method for enhancing body relaxation. It is a widely recognized as an alternative therapy, effective for many health conditions. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reflexology treatment on physiological outcomes among mechanically ventilated patients. Research Design: A quasi-experimental (pre and post-test) research design was used. Research Hypothesis: Mechanically ventilated patients who will receive the reflexology treatment will have better physiological outcomes than those who will not. Setting: The current study was carried out in different Intensive Care Units at the Cairo University Hospitals. Sample: A purposeful sample of 100 adults{u2019} mechanically ventilated patients was recruited over a period of three months of data collection. The participants were divided into two equally matched groups; (1) The study group who has received the routine care in addition two reflexology sessions on the feet. (2) The control group who has received only the routine care Tool: One tool was utilized to collect data pertinent to the study; mechanically ventilated patients data sheet that consist of: Demographic and medical data. Result: Majority (58% of the study group and 82% of the control group) were males, with mean age of 50.9 years in both groups. Patients who received the reflexology treatment significantly had decreased respiratory rate pre second session (t=12. 4, p=. 000), improved diastolic blood pressure post two hours (t= 2.5, p= .015), four hours (t=2.16, p=.036) and increase in the oxygen saturation pre second session (t=5.15, p=.000), immediate post sessions (t=4.4, p=.000) and post two hours (t= 4.7, p= .000). The study group were more likely to have higher Glasgow Coma Scoring (F=5.269, p=.010), reduction in the heart (F=7.592, p=.000) and respiratory rates (F=21.349, p=.000), lower PaO2 (F=5.025, p=.015), PaCo2 (F=4.952, p=.025) and higher HCo3 (F=15.211, p=.000) than the control group

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