The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Quality of Sexual Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Sexual problems of hemodialysis patients are one of the most significant factors affecting their quality of life and families. On the other hand, an essential part of the quality of life is the quality of sexual life and sexual dysfunction that will affect people's perception of the quality of sexual life. Reflexology massage is one of the complementary and alternative therapies combined with conventional medical treatments to reduce disease and treat its complications. This study aimed to determine the effect of foot reflexology on hemodialysis patients' quality of sexual life. This was a parallel randomized sham-controlled trial which conducted in hemodialysis center of Imam Reza (AS) Hospital in Sirjan, Iran. Forty-seven patients under hemodialysis were divided into two groups of foot reflexology (n = 24) and sham (n = 23) using block randomization method. The intervention group received foot reflexology treatment during dialysis for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, 30 min each time (15 min per foot). In the sham group, non-specific foot massage was conducted without squeezing the standard points of reflexology with the same conditions and duration as the intervention group. Quality of sexual life was assessed using female sexual quality of life questionnaire (SQOL-F) and male sexual quality of life questionnaire (SQOL-M) before the intervention, immediately, and one month after the intervention. The results showed that the quality of sexual life of participants in the reflexology group immediately after the intervention (69.74) was significantly higher than before (47.73) and one month after the intervention (52.27). There was no significant difference in the average quality of sexual life of participants in the sham group at different times (before intervention 46.67, immediately after intervention 45.66, and 1 month after intervention 48.18). Immediately after the reflexology intervention, the quality of sexual life was significantly higher than in the sham group (p < 0.001). This study highlights the potential benefit from reflexology in improving the quality of sexual life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Trial registration IRCT20200712048085N1. Registered 15 July 2020, https://en.irct.ir/trial/49604