Akdeniz University, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Pediatric Nursing, Antalya, Turkey.
Complement Ther Med. 2021 Jun;59:102732. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102732. Epub 2021 May 10.
Infantile colic and its accompanying crying represent a major source of stress and have negative physiological, emotional and psychological effects on infants and parents. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of foot reflexology for reducing symptoms of infantile colic.
The study was conducted as a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a sample population of 45 infants diagnosed with infantile colic.
Simple randomization was used to select a reflexology (study) group (n = 20) and a placebo group of infants with colic (n = 25). The parents and biostatistician were blinded to group assessment. Foot reflexology, or stimulating reflex points on the foot, was implemented with the reflexology group. Placebo foot reflexology, or noneffective touch, was used with the placebo group. Over a two-week period, both interventions were performed four times for 20 min each time by the researcher. The researcher collected data using the information form, the Infant Colic Scale (ICS), and a diary of daily crying duration.
The trial ended with the completion of the data. In each group, 20 infants were studied. The means of the Infant Colic Scale scores and daily crying duration were significantly lower in the foot-reflexology group than in the placebo foot-reflexology group (p < .001). Infants with colic in the reflexology group cried less and experienced fewer symptoms than before treatment.
Foot reflexology is a non-invasive and safe nursing intervention that is effective for reducing crying duration and symptoms in infants with colic.
婴儿腹绞痛及其伴随的哭泣是主要的压力源，对婴儿和父母都有负面的生理、情绪和心理影响。本研究旨在检验足部反射疗法缓解婴儿腹绞痛症状的疗效。
本研究采用单盲、随机、安慰剂对照试验，样本人群为 45 名被诊断为婴儿腹绞痛的婴儿。
采用简单随机化选择反射疗法（研究）组（n=20）和婴儿绞痛安慰剂组（n=25）。父母和生物统计学家对组间评估不知情。对反射疗法组实施足部反射疗法，即刺激足部反射点。对安慰剂组实施无效足部反射疗法，即无效触摸。在两周的时间内，由研究者对两组均进行 4 次干预，每次 20 分钟。研究者通过信息表、婴儿绞痛量表（ICS）和每日哭泣持续时间日记收集数据。
试验完成后收集数据。每组各有 20 名婴儿参与研究。足部反射疗法组的婴儿绞痛量表评分和每日哭泣持续时间均值显著低于安慰剂足部反射疗法组（p<.001）。接受足部反射疗法的绞痛婴儿哭泣时间减少，症状较治疗前减轻。
足部反射疗法是一种非侵入性、安全的护理干预措施，对减轻绞痛婴儿的哭泣持续时间和症状有效。
