Effect of Foot Reflexology on Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Quality in Female Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: This clinical trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of foot reflexology on restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in patients with multiple sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four female patients with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to the intervention or sham group. Foot reflexology was taught to the intervention group; it was performed for 4 weeks, three times a week for 26 min each session, by a trained researcher in the morning shift and on three other days in the afternoon at home by the patients themselves. Moreover, the sham group received nonspecific foot massage without applying pressure to the standard reflexology points under similar conditions and durations as those of the intervention group. Data were collected before, immediately after, and 1 month after intervention. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant improvement in sleep quality (p < 0.001) in the intervention group. No significant change was observed in the sham group (p = 0.30). Restless leg syndrome significantly decreased in the intervention group (p < 0.001), whereas it increased in the sham group (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the sleep quality after the intervention between the two groups at both the immediate and 1-month follow-ups (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference in the restless leg syndrome after the intervention between the two groups at both the immediate and 1-month follow-ups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should be trained in foot reflexology as a noninvasive approach that can be easily implemented.