CAM01
The Effectiveness Reflexology in Reducing Anxiety and Pain in Multiple Sclerosis
Objectives: The aim of this study was to show and analyze the perception of people with MS about the effects of reflexology on anxiety and pain.
Methods: Participated fourteen people with MS and complains of anxiety and pain, ten women and four men, aged 40 to 57 years, relapsing-remitting MS (n=8/57%), primary-progressive MS (n=5/36%), secondary-progressive MS (n=1/7%), and Kurtze Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) between 1 and 5.5. Participants underwent ten Reflexology sessions held once a week. Reflexology was applied for 60 minutes and conducted on an ergonomic bed that could be positioned in a special room with controlled temperature and light. The technique promoted manual stimuli in specific points of the body, known as nerve plexuses, located in the hands, legs, feet, nose, skull and ears. Before and after the therapy period, all answered a structured questionnaire containing open questions about sociodemographic and physical and mental sensations.
Results: Eight participants had already undergone Reflexology before and were in maintenance therapy, six were beginners in the approach. They reported that conventional treatment did not always alleviate anxiety and pain satisfactorily. Therefore, everyone turned to reflexology to help them with on physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. As a reason for seeking Reflexology, five (36%) mentioned anxiety and pain, three (21%) reported pain and one (7%) sought therapy to relax. All stated improvement after the sessions.
Conclusions: Reflexology, as a complementary health approach, has been shown to be effective as an anxiolytic and analgesic effect in the opinion of this group of people with MS, promoting relaxation and increasing well-being. However, there is a need for evidence that can be transferred to clinical practice and recommendations for future studies.