Reflexology Massage and Hot Water Foot Bath for Pain and GI Recovery After Colorectal Surgery

Plain-language summary

This study was planned to examine the effect of non-invasive treatment methods that can be applied to alleviate complications involving gastrointestinal system functions such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and absence of gas/faecal output after colorectal (colon and rectum) cancer surgery. The two main intervention methods of the study were reflexology massage and hot water foot bath. The effects of these methods on reducing postoperative pain and improving gastrointestinal functions will be investigated. The study was planned as a randomised controlled experimental study to determine the effects of reflexology massage and hot water foot bath on postoperative pain and gastrointestinal functions in colorectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. It is thought that the study will provide evidence for determining the appropriate method to reduce pain and improve gastrointestinal functions in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. The population of the study will consist of colorectal cancer patients who will undergo laparoscopic surgical intervention who are admitted to the General Surgery Clinic of SBU Istanbul Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. Based on the percentage measurement values of the methods to be studied in the literature review, G-POWER programme was used for sample calculation with an effect size of 0.4 (Cohen), 95% power and 0.05% margin of error. Cohen\'s standard effect size was taken as the basis for the effect size. The calculated value is the total value for 3 groups and the total sample size for 3 groups was found as n=102. The number of samples per group was determined as (n)=34. In order to prevent bias in the study, patients who meet the study criteria will be distributed to the experimental and control groups by computerised randomisation programme. Data will be collected by using the Patient Information Form consisting of two parts, Rhodes Nausea, Vomiting and Retching Index and Numerical Proportioning Scale (NRS) developed by the researcher in line with the literature. The data obtained will be evaluated with appropriate statistical methods in the licensed SPSS 21.0 package programme.

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