The Effect of Reflexology based on Watson's Caring Model on Lombalgia and Quality of Life in Older Adults

This study aims to identify the effect of reflexology based on Watson's Caring Model on lombalgia and quality of life in older adults. This study was conducted as a randomized-controlled study. The target population included 194 older patients who received outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation service in a city located in the eastern part of Turkey between February 2020 and October 2020. The sample of the study was 68 patients who agreed to participate in the study and met the research criteria. Data were collected through the Socio-Demographic Form, the Visual Analogue Scale, the Geriatric Pain Measure, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module. The pre-test and post-test mean scores of the experimental group indicated a statistically significant decrease in the pain levels and a statistically significant increase in the quality-of-life mean scores (p <0.01). A negative and statistically significant relationship was detected between the quality-of-life total mean score and the Geriatric Pain Measure mean score and the Visual Analogue Scale mean score (p <0.01). No significant differences were detected between the experimental and control groups' Visual Analogue Scale, Quality of Life and Geriatric Pain Measure post-test mean scores. Reflexology based on Watson's Caring Model was found to have positive effects on lombalgia and quality of life in older adults.