The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Postpartum Comfort and Breastfeeding Outcomes in Postpartum Women: A Meta-Analysis Study

Abstract

Introduction:

In recent years, foot reflexology has been frequently used as a method to solve problems such as stress, pain, and depression. It has been observed that the studies focused on the effect of foot reflexology on the pregnancy and birth process.

Research Aim:

A meta-analysis of experimental trials evaluating the effectiveness of foot reflexology applied in the postpartum period on comfort and breastfeeding outcomes was conducted in the present study.

Materials and Methods:

A comprehensive electronic search was done through the PubMed, WoS, Wiley, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify experimental articles. There was no time restriction when searching the database. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for quasi-experimental studies and the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials. The meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. Cochran’s Q test and Higgins’ I² were used to assess study heterogeneity.

Results:

Three studies, two randomized controlled trials and one quasi-experimental trial (n = 260), were included in the analysis. Foot reflexology applied to postpartum women was found to have positive effects on the LATCH (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 1.010, confidence interval [CI]: 0.752/1.269, Z = 7.664, p = 0.000), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)-breast tension (SMD: 2.212, CI: 1.902/2.522, Z = 13.981, p = 0.000), VAS-breast heat (SMD: 2.240, CI: 1.928/2.552, Z = 14.086, p = 0.000), VAS-breast pain (SMD: 2.302, CI: 1.836/2.768, Z = 9.686, p = 0.000), postpartum comfort (SMD: 3.578, CI: 3.131/4.025, Z = 15.689, p = 0.000), and breastfeeding satisfaction (SMD: 1.492, CI: 1.178/1.806, Z = 9.318, p = 0.000) scores.

Conclusions:

This meta-analysis determined that the foot reflexology intervention increased breastfeeding success, satisfaction, and postpartum comfort levels and statistically significantly reduced the signs of breastfeeding onset.