Effects of foot reflexology on neonatal jaundice: A randomized sham-controlled trial

• Published in: European journal of integrative medicine 2020-09, Vol.38, p.101173, Article 101173
• Main Authors: Basiri Moghadam, Mahdi, Esmaeili, Mahboubeh, Khosravan, Shahla, Mojtabavi, Seyyed Javad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bilirubin; Foot reflexology; Neonatal jaundice; Randomized controlled trial
• ISSN: 1876-3820; 1876-3839
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2020.101173

Neonatal jaundice is considered as the most common reason for newborns’ admissions and methods to prevention this condition are therefore important. This randomized sham-controlled trial aimed to evaluate whether foot reflexology could affect levels of cutaneous bilirubin and reduce neonatal jaundice. In this single-blind trial, sixty eligible neonates were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Neonates in the foot reflexology group received genuine foot reflexology, while neonates in the sham reflexology group received sham reflexology. These treatments were administered in four 30-min sessions on the first day of life. . The neonates in the control group only received routine neonatal care services. Cutaneous bilirubin level, dermal icterus, and need for phototherapy were assessed at baseline, the first, third and fifth day post-baseline measurements. Data were analyzed by chi-square, analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. Despite the increase of cutaneous bilirubin levels after birth in three groups, it was significantly lower in the foot reflexology group than other two groups on the first and third days but not on the fifth day (P < 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.07, respectively). Dermal icterus did not differ between the three groups at any of the measurement time points (P > 0.05). A significant reduction was observed in the need for phototherapy in the foot reflexology group compared with the sham reflexology and control groups (P = 0.04). Foot reflexology seems to be a potentially beneficial complement for preventing or reducing jaundice without any serious side effects. Nevertheless, larger well powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these findings.