Exploratory Study on Global Reflexology in Sickle Cell Disease

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Global reflexology: The EMC method is a global reflexology technique inspired by the work of the American naturopath Stanley Burrough (Vitaflex, 1976). It is a method of reflexology on the whole body, of acupressure massages (rhythmic and targeted movements) on so-called \"reflex\" zones which is practiced on different areas of the body (feet, hands, arms, legs, collarbone, ear) and allows the stimulation of all systems.

Study summary

Sickle cell disease (or sickle cell anemia) is the most common genetic disease in France with 586 children screened in 2019. This chronic disease is characterized by the presence of abnormal Hemoglobin (Hb) S and a deformation of the red blood cells which take the elongated shape of a sickle and become more rigid and more fragile. Sickle cell disease manifests itself among other things by very painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) and for some chronic pain.

Their management is an emergency and often requires hospitalization. Despite analgesic treatment, some patients have persistent pain.

In 2013, a childcare assistant trained in Canadian global reflexology EMC offered reflexology sessions to 12 sickle cell patients. She observed a relief in all patients with a decrease in the pain score in 8 of them. These sessions seem to show us a double interest: the reduction of the child\'s pain and the emergence of a technique that can be used by paramedics in the context of their own role.

The investgators hypothesize that global reflexology is an effective and acceptable complementary technique for pain management in addition to the usual analgesic management in sickle cell children under 18 years of age in CVO. In order to verify our hypothesis, the investigators propose to explore the practice of Canadian global reflexology as an innovative therapeutic option complementary to drug treatments in the hospital management of sickle cell children.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Pain score T20 with the Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability scale — 20 minutes after the start of the session
  Evolution of pain scores (Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability - FLACC according to the child\'s age) T0 and T20 minutes after the start of the session. The minimum value is 0 (no pain) and the maximum is 10 (maximum pain). All professionals are trained in the use of the FLACC pain scale
• Pain score T20 with the Visual Analog Scale — 20 minutes after the start of the session
  Evolution of pain scores (VAS - Visual Analog Scale according to the child\'s age) T0 and T20 minutes after the start of the session. The minimum value is 0 (no pain) and the maximum is 10 (maximum pain). All professionals are trained in the use of the VAS pain scale

Trial sites (1)

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