Reflexology for adult males with idiopathic constipation

101 Pages·2017·1.8 MB·English

by  Wheeler, Rachel Elizabeth

Cardiff Metropolitan University
Prifysgol Fetropolitan Caerdydd

B.Sc. (Hons) Complementary Healthcare
Reflexology for adult males with idiopathic constipation: a feasibility study

What effect does foot reflexology have on the symptoms and quality of life of adult
males with idiopathic constipation?

Rachel Wheeler

May 2017

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Cardiff
Metropolitan University for the degree of Bachelor of Science
DECLARATION

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this dissertation is the result of my
own independent investigation under the supervision of
my tutor. The various sources to which I am indebted
are clearly indicated. This dissertation has not been
accepted in substance for any other degree and is not
being submitted concurrently for any other degree.

Candidate's signature:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, thank you to all the programme lecturers for their support over the last four
years.
Special thanks to Judith for providing me with the tools to hopefully have a long and
successful career as a reflexologist.
Also, thanks to Delyth for taking the ambiguity out of research!
On a personal note, as always, heartfelt thanks to my best friend Cally for her
continual support over a difficult few years. Knowing I have had her there day or
night has enabled me to carry on with my studies.
Thanks also to my friend and business partner Louise for her support. We have the
programme to thank for bringing us together and the formation of The Well Being
Centre. Long may it continue!
To my sons, Regan and Rory, thank you for foregoing food and water for the last
year to allow me to spend most of my spare time attached to my laptop. Hopefully,
you have seen that you are never too old to learn or change direction.

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ABSTRACT:
Background: Previous research by Woodward et al (2010) suggested that foot
reflexology has a positive effect on the symptoms of idiopathic constipation and
improving the quality of life (QoL) of female sufferers. To date there has been no
similar studies using male participants.

Aims: To evaluate if foot reflexology influences the symptoms of idiopathic
constipation and the QoL of male sufferers; to compare results with the Woodward et
al (2010) research.

Method: A single-subject experimental design (SSED) was used. Five adult males
with idiopathic constipation received foot reflexology for four weeks. The Measure
Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP2), The Patient Assessment of
Constipation – Symptom (PAC-SYM) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) were used to
collect data. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive statistics were
produced using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results: All participants had an overall improvement in symptoms (PAC-SYM and
MYMOP2); with an overall mean improvement of 15.40 (PAC-SYM). All participants
had an overall improvement in QoL; with an overall mean improvement of 76.10 (SF-
36). Like the Woodward et al study (2010) Pain and Vitality featured within the SF-36
categories with greatest mean improvement.

Conclusion: The study’s results suggest that foot reflexology may have a positive
effect on the symptoms of idiopathic constipation and the QoL of adult male
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sufferers. There were limited similarities with previous research into the effects of
reflexology on females with idiopathic constipation. Further larger scale research is
necessary to validate the study results due to its small sample size and presented
limitations.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
Declaration I
Acknowledgements II
Abstract III
Table of Contents V
List of Appendices VIII
List of Figures IX
List of Tables X

1. Introduction 1

2. Review of Literature 3
2.1 Search Methodology 3
2.2 Reviewed Literature 3
2.3 Constipation 4
2.4 Classifications of Constipation 4
2.5 Constipation Diagnosis 6
2.6 Management of Constipation 6
2.7 Reflexology 8
2.8 Male use of Reflexology 9
2.9 Study One – Woodward S, Norton C and Barriball K (2010) A pilot 9
study of the effectiveness of reflexology in treating idiopathic
constipation in women.
2.9.1 Study Strengths 12
2.9.2 Study Limitations 13

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TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED:
Page
Description
2.10 Study Two – Bishop E, McKinnon E, Weir E and Brown D (2003) 15
Reflexology in the management of encopresis and chronic constipation
2.10.1 Study Strengths 15
2.10.2 Study Limitations 16
2.11 Study Three – Tovey P (2002) A single blind trial of reflexology 17
for irritable bowel syndrome
2.11.1 Study Strengths 18
2.11.2 Study Limitations 19

3. Method 20
3.1 Introduction 20
3.2 Design 20
3.3 Sample 22
3.4 Data Collection 23
3.5 Procedure 25
3.6 Ethical Considerations 26
3.7 Data Analysis 26

4. Results 28
4.1 Participant Profile 28
4.2 PAC-SYM 30
4.3 SF-36 33
4.3.1 – SF-36 Category Scores 34
4.4 MYMOP2 36
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4.4.1 – MYMOP2 Participant Selected Constipation Symptoms 36
4.4.2 – MYMOP2 Wellbeing 38
4.4.3 – MYMOP2 Qualitative Data 40
4.5 Summary of Results 41

5. Discussion 43

References 56

90
Word Count (9084)

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Description Page

Appendix 1 The Rome III Criteria 64

Appendix 2 Reflexology Consultation Form 65

Appendix 3 Participant Study Consent Form 68

Appendix 4 Participant Study Information Leaflet 69

Appendix 5 The Patient Assessment of 76
Constipation (PAC SYM) Form

Appendix 6 The Short Form 36 (SF-36) Form 77

Appendix 7 The Measure Yourself Medical 83
Outcome Profile 2 (MYMOP2) Form

Appendix 8 Association of Reflexologist Foot 85
Chart

Appendix 9 Ethics Approval Letter 86

Appendix 10 SF-36 - Category Mean and Standard 88
Deviation Results

Appendix 11 SF-36 Results Woodward S, Norton C, 89
Barriball K. (2010) study.

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LIST OF FIGURES

Description Page

Figure 1 PAC-SYM - Overall Mean and Standard 30
Deviation statistics

Figure 2 PAC-SYM- Participants overall scores 31

Figure 3 SF-36-Participants overall scores 33

Figure 4 SF-36 Overall Mean and Standard 33
Deviation statistics

Figure 5 SF-36 -Mean difference in each category 35
scores

Figure 6 SF-36 -Number of participants with 35
improvement in each category

Figure 7 MYMOP2- number of participants selecting 36
each constipation related problem

Figure 8 MYMOP2-Participants selected problem 37
scores

Figure 9 MYMOP2-Wellbeing Mean and Standard 38
Deviation statistics

Figure 10 MYMOP2-Participants Wellbeing scores 39

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