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Infantile ColicNCT03939611

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Infantile Colic Symptoms

A study testing Foot Reflexology in people with Infantile Colic and Reflexology, run by Akdeniz University.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Aim: To compare the effect of foot reflexology and placebo foot reflexology on colic symptoms such as pain, ineffective sleep, and colicky crying periods in infants with colic. Method: The study was conducted as a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a child hospital between June 2016 and March 2017. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 1 month to 3 monthsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Infantile Colic, Reflexology
What is being tested?
Foot Reflexology
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
45 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
26 Jun 2016to 31 Mar 2017
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 1 month to 3 months
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Infants were included who were aged 1-3 months, Infants who were diagnosed IC by a pediatrician according to Wessel's rule of threes.

Who cannot join

  • Infants who were using any of analgesic drug until 3 hours before the applications and antibiotic or steroid due to treating an illness, Infants who had an acute fever, musculoskeletal disease, active shingles or infection, acute shingles, or tissue in the foot and joint, All infants with any non-IC health problems.

About this study

Official title: The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Infantile Colic Symptoms: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Aim: To compare the effect of foot reflexology and placebo foot reflexology on colic symptoms such as pain, ineffective sleep, and colicky crying periods in infants with colic.

Method: The study was conducted as a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in a child hospital between June 2016 and March 2017. To start with, 20 infants with colic were randomly selected for the reflexology group, and 25 babies with colic were randomly selected for the placebo group. Simple randomization was used; the parents and statistician were blinded to group assessment. The researcher could not be blinded because of the role played in the study. Foot reflexology was implemented with reflexology-group infants. Placebo foot reflexology was used with placebo-group infants. Both interventions were performed four times, for 20 minutes, each, by the researcher over the course of two weeks. The data were collected by the researcher using the information form, infantile colic scale, behavioral pain scale, crying and sleeping follow-up forms.

Being tested
Foot Reflexology, Placebo Foot Reflexology
Keywords
complementary therapies, infantile colic, nurses, reflexology
Medical subject headings
Colic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Foot ReflexologyOther

    Reflexology is one of the complementary health approaches; it is based on systematic pressure and stimulation with fingers to energy points in feet and hands and is a topic nowadays studied. Reflexology argues that the reflex maps in the hands and feet with all of the parts of the body are in contact. The pressure applied to each point stimulates the circulation of blood and energy like a sensor, gives a sense of relaxation, provides homeostasis. With a touch that is a different way of communication with children, is supported to create physical awareness via reflexology techniques, and is provided healthy nutrition of the stimulated tissue.

  • Placebo Foot ReflexologyOther

    Placebo reflexology was performed by touch without pressure to the same rotation and to the same points as foot reflexology application. It was performed only to compare foot reflexology with a placebo effect.

Study groups in NCT03939611
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Foot Reflexology GroupExperimentalFoot reflexology was performed to the reflexology group infants. Foot reflexology application (FRA) involved relaxation for the first 3-5 minutes and the last 2 minutes; the remaining 12-15 minutes included stimulation of the brain and digestive system organs. To ensure relaxation, rotation was performed by using the thumbs of the hand under the feet, cephalocaudally. The session of FRA included stimulating the brain and medulla spinalis (2 min), the solar plexus (1min), the stomach (2min), the liver (2min), the pancreas (2min), the gallbladder (1min), and the ileocecal valve and intestine (5min) reflex points. Application was performed on all infants twice a week, for a total of four times during two consecutive weeks. Between two consecutive applications, a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 5 days was allotted (Stone, 2011). A total of 6 follow-ups were performed during the study period.
Receives: Other: Foot Reflexology
Placebo Foot Reflexology GroupPlacebo comparatorPlacebo foot reflexology was performed to the placebo group infants. Placebo foot reflexology application (PFRA) was constrained to ineffective touch without any stimulation and pressure. The aim of the PFRA was to create only a touch effect. It was applied by patted the foot by using the thumbs of the hand, for 20 minutes with the same rotation and to the same points as FRA. Application was performed on all infants twice a week, for a total of four times during two consecutive weeks. Between two consecutive applications, a minimum of 48 hours and a maximum of 5 days was allotted (Stone, 2011). A total of 6 follow-ups were performed during the study period.
Receives: Other: Placebo Foot Reflexology

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Infantile Colic State

    Ellet et al. (2002) developed a Likert-type scale to determine the factors causing colic and to diagnose colic. The scale consists of 5 sub-dimensions and 22 items. Sub-dimensions include 'Cow's Milk/Soy Protein Allergy/Intolerance', 'Immature Gastrointestinal System', 'Immature Central Nervous System', 'Difficult Infant Temperament', and 'Parent-Infant Interaction + Problem Infant'. These headings include factors affecting the infant's colic, such as sleep characteristics, consolability, features of crying, infant mood, and parent-infant interaction. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was .69 (Ellett et al., 2003). Cetinkaya and Başbakkal (2007) tested the validity and reliability of the scale for the Turkish population and reported Cronbach's α to be .73 (Cetinkaya \& Basbakkal, 2007). In this study, it was determined to be .65.

    Measured: In two weeks

  2. Colicky Pain

    The FLACC scale developed by Merkel et al. in 1997 is used to help determine the level of pain in infants and children. The parameters of scale include infant 'Facial expressions, Leg movements, Activities, Crying, and Consolability' (Voepel-Lewis, Shayevitz, \& Malviya, 1997). The maximum score of this scale is ten, shows the highest pain. On the other hands; the minimum score is zero, shows that no pain. Şenaylı et al. (2006) reported that the scale could be used in Turkish population (Şenaylı, Özkan, Şenaylı, \& Bıçakçı, 2006).

    Measured: In two weeks

  3. Colicky Crying

    Crying follow-up form was prepared by the researcher to determine the duration of crying in infants. Colic crying differs from ordinary crying as it is louder than normal and inconsolable. It occurs usually suddenly and takes several consecutive hours (Helseth, 2002). Based on this information, when crying ended, parents were asked to record crying times over half an hour, with start and end times. The form required hourly recording by the parents for two weeks.

    Measured: In two weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Sleeping

    Sleeping follow-up form was prepared by the researcher to determine the duration of sleeping in infants. The form required hourly recording by the parents for two weeks.

    Measured: In two weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 May 2019
  2. Study start26 Jun 2016
  3. Primary completion31 Mar 2017
  4. Study completion31 Mar 2017

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This was an experimental, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
45 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03939611
Sponsor's protocol ID
AkdenizUniversity
Status last verified
May 2019
First submitted
2 May 2019
Last updated
7 May 2019
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Alexandrovich I, Rakovitskaya O, Kolmo E, Sidorova T, Shushunov S. The effect of fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) seed oil emulsion in infantile colic: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2003 Jul-Aug;9(4):58-61.

    PubMed 12868253
  • Bennedbaek O, Viktor J, Carlsen KS, Roed H, Vinding H, Lundbye-Christensen S. [Infants with colic. A heterogenous group possible to cure? Treatment by pediatric consultation followed by a study of the effect of zone therapy on incurable colic]. Ugeskr Laeger. 2001 Jul 2;163(27):3773-8. Danish.

    PubMed 11466984
  • Cetinkaya B, Basbakkal Z. A validity and reliability study investigating the Turkish version of the Infant Colic Scale. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2007 Mar-Apr;30(2):84-90; discussion 90. doi: 10.1097/01.SGA.0000267925.31803.30.

    PubMed 17440307
  • Chandrababu R, Rathinasamy EL, Suresh C, Ramesh J. Effectiveness of reflexology on anxiety of patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Adv Nurs. 2019 Jan;75(1):43-53. doi: 10.1111/jan.13822. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

    PubMed 30109722
  • Cirgin Ellett ML, Murphy D, Stroud L, Shelton RA, Sullivan A, Ellett SG, Ellett LD. Development and psychometric testing of the infant colic scale. Gastroenterol Nurs. 2003 May-Jun;26(3):96-103. doi: 10.1097/00001610-200305000-00002.

    PubMed 12811319
  • Embong NH, Soh YC, Ming LC, Wong TW. Revisiting reflexology: Concept, evidence, current practice, and practitioner training. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Sep 28;5(4):197-206. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2015.08.008. eCollection 2015 Oct.

    PubMed 26587391
  • Cohen Engler A, Hadash A, Shehadeh N, Pillar G. Breastfeeding may improve nocturnal sleep and reduce infantile colic: potential role of breast milk melatonin. Eur J Pediatr. 2012 Apr;171(4):729-32. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1659-3. Epub 2011 Dec 29.

    PubMed 22205210
  • Helseth S. Help in times of crying: nurses' approach to parents with colicky infants. J Adv Nurs. 2002 Nov;40(3):267-74. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2002.02368.x.

    PubMed 12383178
  • Icke S, Genc R. Effect of Reflexology on Infantile Colic. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Jun;24(6):584-588. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0315. Epub 2018 Apr 20.

    PubMed 29676928
  • Johnson JD, Cocker K, Chang E. Infantile Colic: Recognition and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Oct 1;92(7):577-82.

    PubMed 26447441
  • Koc T, Gozen D. The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Acute Pain in Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2015 Oct;12(5):289-96. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12099. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

    PubMed 26220257
  • Landgren K, Hallstrom I. Parents' experience of living with a baby with infantile colic--a phenomenological hermeneutic study. Scand J Caring Sci. 2011 Jun;25(2):317-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6712.2010.00829.x. Epub 2010 Aug 18.

    PubMed 20723153
  • Reinthal M, Lund I, Ullman D, Lundeberg T. Gastrointestinal symptoms of infantile colic and their change after light needling of acupuncture: a case series study of 913 infants. Chin Med. 2011 Aug 11;6:28. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-6-28.

    PubMed 21835014
  • Savino F, Ceratto S, De Marco A, Cordero di Montezemolo L. Looking for new treatments of Infantile Colic. Ital J Pediatr. 2014 Jun 5;40:53. doi: 10.1186/1824-7288-40-53.

    PubMed 24898541
  • Savino F, Quartieri A, De Marco A, Garro M, Amaretti A, Raimondi S, Simone M, Rossi M. Comparison of formula-fed infants with and without colic revealed significant differences in total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and faecal ammonia. Acta Paediatr. 2017 Apr;106(4):573-578. doi: 10.1111/apa.13642. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

    PubMed 27763733

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Foot Reflexology in people with Infantile Colic and Reflexology, run by Akdeniz University.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 May 2019. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Infantile Colic State (time frame: In two weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03939611, which also lists 18 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 May 2019.

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