The Clinical Efficacy of Reflexology in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

ABSTRACT Objective: This experimental, repeated-measures, crossover design study with nursing home residents examined the efficacy of reflexology in individuals with mild-to-moderate stage dementia. Specifically, the study tested whether a weekly reflexology intervention contributed to the resident outcomes of reduced physiologic distress, reduced pain, and improved affect. Setting: The study was conducted at a large nursing home in suburban Philadelphia. Sample: The sample included 21 nursing home residents with mild-to-moderate stage dementia randomly assigned to two groups. Interventions: The first group received 4 weeks of weekly reflexology treatments followed by 4 weeks of a control condition of friendly visits. The second group received 4 weeks of friendly visits followed by 4 weeks of weekly reflexology. Outcome measures: The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction of physiologic distress as measured by salivary α-amylase. The secondary outcomes were observed pain (Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indi...