A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FOOT REFLEXOLOGY THERAPY ON BLOOD GLUCOSE CONTROL AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN SELECTED HOSPITAL AT COIMBATORE : A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and associated complications. Effective management of blood glucose is essential to prevent long term health problems. Foot reflexology is a complementary therapy that may help improve circulation, reduce stress, and support glycemic control. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of foot reflexology therapy on blood glucose control among patient with type2 diabetes mellitus in selected hospital at Coimbatore. Aquasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design was adopted. A total of 60 patients with type2 diabetes mellitus were selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique, with 30 participants in the experimental group and 30in the control group. The study findings showed that the pre-test mean blood glucose level in the experimental group was 126(SD=11) and it reduced to 89.4(SD=4.7) in the post-test. The calculated t value (18) was significant at p<0.05 level. In the control group, the pre-test mean was 137(SD=9.3) and the post-test mean was 134.4 (SD=5.9) with no significant difference (t=1.3). The post-test comparison between experimental between and control groups showed a significant difference t=34). The findings indicate that foot reflexology therapy was effective in controlling blood glucose levels among patients with type2 diabetes mellitus.