Abstract:
Background and Aims: Persistent pain and other symptoms following spinal surgery affect approximately 20% – 40% of patients. 80% of them are unable to work and their quality of life is reported to worsen, even after the surgery. The purpose of this retrospective study is to report the results of using Reflexology as Add-on treatment in patients with Chronic Pain after Spinal Surgery (CPSS).
Methods: Patient records with CPSS, from the Registry of the Hellenic Society of Pain Management and Palliative Care, who visited the Pain and Palliative Care Center at the Aretaieion Hospital between 2016 and 2020 , were reviewed.From a total of 53 patients with CPSS, 38 had been treated with reflexology as add-on treatment to their usual pharmacological care. Numerical Pain Scale (NPS) 0 to 10 was used for pre and post treatment pain measurement. The ICD Diagnostic Criteria of Chronic Pain after Spinal Surgery were used. The patients had received on average 14, weekly, 20 min. reflexology sessions.
Results: The results showed statistically significant changes in the mean pre and post treatment pain scores in patients with reflexology. In 85% of those patients the mean pain reduction was more than 70% and lasted for more than 6 months after the intervention.
Conclusions: The integration of reflexology into the pharmacological usual care, can improve patients‘ quality of life, by reduction of pain and improvement of their functionality.