THE EFFECT OF REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE ON THE FATIGUE SEVERITY IN WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Fatigue is one of the most common signs in Multiple Sclerosis that can cause
undesirable consequences. This research aims to investigate the effects of reflexology massage on
patients fatigue severity in women with Multiple Sclerosis.
Materials & Methods: This study is an Experimental study was performed on 52 patients with multiple
sclerosis. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire, and fatigue severity scale
for Fatigue.
Participants were randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control by minimization
method. In the experimental group, reflexology was performed within Four weeks, three weeks for 30
minutes while the control group received medical treatment as directed by a physician. Data were
collected through fatigue severity scale before, and one month after intervention in both groups. Data
analysis was performed by Spss version 22 using descriptive and inferential statistic.
Results: Mean score of fatigue in the experimental group before intervention was 49/2 ± 4/3 and after
intervention was 29/8 ± 4/41. Results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between
fatigue scores in the experimental group before and after the intervention (p <0.0001) But there was no
significant difference in the control group (p = 0.003).
Conclusion: Reflexology massage has an effect on Multiple Sclerosis of women’s fatigue. Therefore,
the amount of fatigue after the massage has been less than the fatigue before it. As a result, this
intervention as an action can reduce fatigue with the aim of peace and health promotion in Multiple
Sclerosis women