The effectiveness of reflexology in children with cerebral palsy with constipation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of reflexology on constipation severity, defecation frequency, pain and quality of life in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) with constipation. Material and Method: This study was conducted with a total of 50 SP children aged 4-12 years. The patients were randomized into two groups (n = 25), neurodevelopmental treatment with reflexology, and the other group (n = 25) only neurodevelopmental treatment. Reflexology and neurodevelopmental therapy were applied to all patients in each of the 2 groups, 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks. The functional levels of the patients were evaluated by the gross motor functional classification system. Bristol Stool Scale was used to assess the severity of constipation, Visual analog scale was used to assess pain during the defecation, WeeFIM was used to assess functional independence levels. P-value pound 0.05 was accepted as meaningful for all statistical levels. Results: The mean age of the patients was 7.75 +/- 2.70. In the pre- and post-treatment evaluations, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the patients who underwent reflexology in all of the measurements of defecation frequency, stool score, pain and functional independence (p=0.023, 0.026, 0.025, 0.027). However, only a significant improvement in pain assessment was found in the control group (p=0.046). Discussion: As a result of the study, it was found that reflexology treatment applied to children with CP with constipation decreased the severity of pain during defecation with the severity of constipation and increased defecation frequency and functional independence level.