Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain and Fatigue Levels Regarding Insulin Injection among Diabetic Children

Abstract

Background: Pain and fatigue are common side effects of insulin injections. Foot reflexology is a complementary therapy gaining popularity and acceptance since it seems to help with pain and weariness. Methods: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on pain and fatigue levels regarding insulin injection among diabetic children. A quasi-experimental research design (Pre-test Post-test Design) used to conduct this study, and it was carried out at the Paediatric Medical Department at Sohag University Hospital. A convenient sample of 100 diabetic children who were receiving insulin injections will be recruited in this study; the studied children were randomly assigned into two groups, with 50 children in each group (the study and control groups). Three tools were used to collect data: Tool (1): A structured interviewing questionnaire. Tool (II): Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Tool (III): Fatigue Assessment Scale. Results: After receiving an insulin injection, over half of the diabetic children in the study group experienced minor pain, compared to just 8% in the control group, according to the current research. Additionally, the post-foot reflexology of the diabetic children under study showed a highly statistically significant difference in fatigue levels between the study and control groups. Also, the results demonstrated that following the foot reflexology intervention, the diabetic children under study had a very statistically significant (P < 0.001) decrease in their fatigue mean score in both the study and control groups and had very statistically significant variations in their pain scores after the foot reflexology intervention (P = < 0.001). Conclusion: Foot reflexology has an effect on pain and fatigue reduction regarding insulin injection among diabetic children. Foot reflexology could be used as a supplemental therapy and non-pharmacological approach to treat diabetic children's fatigue and pain from insulin injections.