Comparison of the effect of auriculotherapy and foot reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer

Comparison of the effect of auriculotherapy and reflexology on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients

In a clinical trial with a control group, with parallel groups, one-way, blinded, randomized, on 105 patients, the permutation blocking method was used for randomization.

The intervention is performed in Iran Mehr Hospital in Birjand. After introducing oneself and the intended goals and obtaining informed written consent, the demographic information form is completed by the researcher in the form of an interview. Immediately after chemotherapy, the Rhodes questionnaire will be conducted for them. Then, patients with the permutation blocking method are divided into three groups: auricular therapy, reflexology, and control (patients do not know which group they are in). The marked points on the soles of the feet or earlobes are massaged with the help of a female researcher. Then, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the intervention, the patient is contacted, and the researcher fills in the questionnaire.

Inclusion criteria: Participants have the consent and full consciousness, Have organ health in the legs and ears, The patient can understand, read, write and speak Persian, The patient is being treated and has received at least one course of chemotherapy, The patient is not undergoing other studies or treatments at the same time, An oncologist makes the diagnosis of breast cancer; Exclusion criteria: the patient does not have the desire to participate in the study, the patient has mental problems, blindness, deafness, or a history of psychological issues, the patient does not feel nauseous after chemotherapy, the patient is undergoing other studies or treatments at the same time, the patient is not fully conscious.

In the foot reflexology group, specific points are massaged by hand, and in the oriclo therapy group, particular points are massaged in the earlobe. No intervention is performed for the control group; they receive only routine medications.

Improving chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients

They are randomly assigned to three groups control, foot reflexology intervention, and auricular therapy intervention by permutation blocking method.

Participants will not know which group they are going to be in. Before the intervention, the permutation blocking method determines in which of the three control groups the participant will be placed, foot reflexology intervention or auricular therapy intervention.