The Effect of Reiki and Reflexology Massage Application on Patient's Quality of Life and Pain Level in Diabetic Neuropathy Pain

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic endocrine and metabolic disease that occurs as a result of insufficiency, absence and/or deficiency of the insulin hormone secreted from the beta cells of the pancreas, and is characterized by hyperglycemia, disorders in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, capillary membrane changes and accelerated atherosclerosis, and has a high risk of morbidity and early mortality, with the development of macrovascular and microvascular complications and a high cost of care.

Diabetic neuropathy is not always painful, but 12% of all diabetic patients are affected by symptomatic painful diabetic neuropathy, the most common chronic and earliest presenting complication.

Reflexology is a special pressure technique and energy balancing system that is performed by applying pressure to reflex points with rubbing, patting and squeezing movements to ensure healing. Reflexology; It advocates that stimulating nerve points in the feet and hands with certain techniques produces electrochemical messages, which in turn stimulate the relevant organ with the help of neurons.

Feet are widely preferred for reflexology massage due to their features such as having many nerve endings, more sensitive reflexes, being easily accessible, having a large area, and the effectiveness and comfort of the application. Reflexology massage is a supportive and complementary method, not an alternative to medical treatment.

According to the Reiki principle, everything in the universe, including the human body, consists of energy in the universe, and deviations in the energy field cause diseases.

This study aims to investigate the effects of Reiki and reflexology applications on the patient's quality of life and pain level in diabetic neuropathy pain.