Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt Nursing Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah-51418, Saudi Arabia
2
Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt
3
Assistant professor, Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt.
4
Lecturer, Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University, Egypt.
Abstract
Background: Many women experience constipation during pregnancy and nowadays, non-
pharmacological approaches such as reflexology have gained more attention than pharmaceutical
ones when it comes to treating pregnancy-related ailments. Aim of the study: Evaluate the effect
of foot reflexology on constipation and fetal movement during pregnancy. Research design: A
quasi-experimental (case-control) research design was utilized in this study. Settings: This study
was conducted at the El-Helal Maternal and Child Health Centre in Damanhour City, El-Beheira
Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: Eighty pregnant women at 28-32 gestational weeks. Data
collection tools: Tool I: Socio-demographic and clinical data; Tool II: Constipation Assessment
Scale (CAS); and Tool III: Kick-chart. Results: In the reflexology intervention group, there is an
improvement in constipation severity more than in the control groups, as it is clear that there are
statistically significant differences between both groups in the third, fourth, and fifth weeks after
the intervention (P = 0.024, 0.037, and 0.007, respectively). Fetal movement frequency increases
in the reflexology intervention group more than in the control group, as there are statistically
significant differences between both groups in the fourth and fifth weeks after the intervention (P
= 0.001, P = 0.000, respectively). Conclusion: Foot reflexology is a useful technique to relieve
pregnancy-related constipation and a powerful way to improve fetal movement.
Recommendations: Incorporate foot reflexology into routine antenatal care along with routine
care provided by nurses to better manage pregnancy-related constipation and improve fetal
movement.
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