Effect of Metatarsus Reflexology Massage in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Nausea: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Ab s t r Ac t Background: Nausea after surgery is an important complication. The incidence of this complication is expressed to be 40–75% in laparoscopy. Due to the risks of nausea following surgery, various methods are used to control it. Metatarsus reflexology is a noninvasive, well-tolerated, inexpensive, convenient, and cost-effective method for treating many diseases. The aim of this study is to identify the effect of metatarsus reflexology massage in laparoscopic cholecystectomy nausea. Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 patients who were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received common drug therapy and the intervention group underwent foot reflexology massage for 10 minutes after common therapy. In recovery and at 6 and 12 hours after surgery, the severity of nausea, vomiting was evaluated in the two groups. The results were analyzed using independent t test, Chi-square, and repeated measures analysis of variance is true. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups before intervention in terms of demographic characteristics including age, sex, duration of anesthesia, and severity of pain in recovery, However, during the study period (in both the intervention and control groups), the severity of nausea was decreased (p value < 0.001; F = 245.24). Conclusion: Foot reflexology has an important role in nausea control along with other common treatments and it can be done by nurses due to low cost.