THE EFFECT OF A SELF MANAGEMENT PROGRAM COMBINED WITH REFLEXOLOGY ON JOINT PAIN AMONG ADULT PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effect of a self-management program combined with reflexology on joint pain among adult patients with knee osteoarthritis. Males and females with knee osteoarthritis, aged 40 - 59 years were recruited from the out-patient clinic, Siriraj hospital. The 44 samples purposively sampling; divided into control group and experimental group, 22 persons equally. The control group was treated with conventional nursing care while the experimental group was treated with conventional nursing care plus an 8-week a self - management program combined with reflexology. Research instruments were the self - management combined with reflexology program, and Numerical Rating Scale of pain. The instruments were verified by 5 experts, CVI was 1.00. The reliability of pain scale was .81. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and t-test.  

The research findings were as follows: 1) The pain score in the group of patients with knee  osteoarthritis receiving the self - management program combined  with  reflexology  was significantly lower than that before receiving the program at the statistical level of .05 (= 3.45, S.D.=.59 and =5.14, S.D.=.64, respectively, t=12.20, p=.000)  2) After receiving the self - management program combined  with reflexology,  the pain score in experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the statistical level of .05 (=3.45, S.D.=.59 and =5.00, S.D.=.53, respectively, t=9.05, p=.000). Thus, nurse who caring among adult patients with knee osteoarthritis could be implemented the self-management program combined with reflexology in nursing care for reduce pain.