Effects of Reflexology on Sleep Quality of Elderly Women Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

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