Background: Sleep disorder is one of most prevalent complaints in elderly people. Tension reduction can be effective in improving sleep quality. In this regard, reflexology can be effective in reducing anxiety and tension. This study aimed to determine reflexology effects on sleep disorders of elderly women undergoing abdominal surgery.
Methods: This study was a non-randomized clinical trial (quasi-experimental). A total of 80 elderly women undergoing abdominal surgery were selected by continuous sampling method and simple random selection of two hospitals (Hazrat-e-Rasool [PBUH] and Firouzgar). Then, they were assigned in experimental and control groups. The study instrument was sleep quality questionnaire (PSQI). Descriptive statistics included calculating mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics were performed through the independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: There was no significant difference in terms of quality of sleep (P=0.504) between control and experimental groups, before the intervention. Also, There was no significant difference between means of quality of sleep scores (P=0.606) before and after the intervention in the control group. However, there was a significant difference between the means of quality of sleep scores (P=0.048) before and after the intervention in the experimental group. Finally, the means of quality of sleep scores of two groups after the intervention was significantly different (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Considering the significant effect of reflexology on improving the quality of sleep in elderly women undergoing surgery, it is recommended that this simple technique (which is available and low-cost as an alternative medicine) be used in reducing the postoperative pain and improving the quality of sleep of patients.