Comparison of the Effect of Sole Reflexology Massage and Stretching Exercises on Pain Severity of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aims: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease of chronic inflammation and pain is one of the most prevalent complaints of these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of sole reflexology massage and stretching exercises on pain severity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Materials Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted among 75 patients with rheumatoid arthritis referred to the Shahid Mofatteh Clinic in Yasuj, Iran in 2017-18. Subjects were selected by purposive sampling method and divided into three groups including sole reflexology massage, stretching exercises and control groups by random block allocation (N=25 in each group). The interventions were carried out for one month including 30-minute sessions three times a week. Pain severity of patients was evaluated before interventions and 10 minutes after the last intervention session using Standardized visual analogue scale (VAS). Data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software using Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. Findings: Before interventions, the mean score of pain of patients among sole reflexology massage, stretching exercises and control groups had no significant difference (p=0.1). After interventions, a significant difference was observed in the pain severity of patients of three groups (p=0.001) that this difference was related to the stretching exercises group compared to the sole reflexology massage and control groups. Conclusion: Stretching exercises reduce the pain severity of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but sole reflexology massage does not improve or reduce the pain of these patients.