Nantawadee Kumdee. The effect of foot reflexology on asthmatic control in pre-school children with asthma. Master's Degree(Pediatric Nursing). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2009.
The effect of foot reflexology on asthmatic control in pre-school children with asthma
Abstract:
This quasi-experimental research used a two group pre-post test research
design. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology on
asthmatic control in pre-school children with asthma. The zone theory and biomedical
theory of asthma was used as the conceptual framework for this study. The sample
was composed of 60 pre-school children with asthma, aged between 3 to 6 years old
who visited the Pediatric Outpatient Department of Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in
Ubonratchathani province, during June 2008 to April 2009. The sample was divided
into control and experimental groups with 30 cases in each group. The control group
received only the usual care, whereas the experimental group received the foot
reflexology for 28 days, in combination with the usual care. The data collection
instruments included the demographic data questionnaire, the Childhood Asthma
Control Test (C-ACT), the diary book record for asthmatic symptoms, and the foot
reflexology handbook guideline with video compact disc. The data was analyzed by
computer program in descriptive statistics and comparison of the mean scores for
asthmatic control between the control and experimental groups by independent t-test.
The results showed that the post-test mean scores for asthmatic control for
the foot reflexology experimental group was higher than for those in the control group,
with a statistically significant difference (p<.001).
Based on these findings, it is recommended that foot reflexology be
considered as complementary and alternative care in nursing practice for asthmatic
control in pre-school children with asthma. However, further research with other
children with asthma is needed to support the effect of foot reflexology and special
training should be provided to nurses, parents or caregivers who could use foot
reflexology with their children at home.