A randomized-controlled trial examining the effects of reflexology on anxiety of patients undergoing coronary angiography
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained
The anxiety reduction before coronary angiography has clinical advantages and is one of the objectives of nursing. Reflexology is a non-invasive method that has been used in several clinical situations. Applying reflexology might have effect on the reduction of anxiety before coronary angiography. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to investigate the effect of reflexology on anxiety among patients undergoing coronary angiography. This trial was conducted in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, in Kashan, Iran. One hundred male patients who were undergoing coronary angiography were randomly enrolled into intervention and placebo groups. The intervention protocol was included 30 minutes of general foot massage and the stimulation of three reflex points including solar plexus, pituitary gland, and heart. The placebo group only received the general foot massage. Spielbergers state trait anxiety inventory was used to assess the anxiety experienced by patients. Data was analyzed using Man-Witney, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests. The stepwise multiple regressions used to analyze the variables that are involved in anxiety reduction. The mean range of anxiety decreased from 53.24 to 45.24 in reflexology group which represented 8 score reduction (P = 0.0001). The reduction in anxiety was 5.9 score in placebo group which was also significant (P = 0.0001). The anxiety reduction was significantly higher in reflexology group (P = 0.014). The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that doing reflexology can explain the 7.5% of anxiety reduction which made a significant model. Reflexology can decrease the anxiety level before coronary angiography. Therefore, reflexology before coronary angiography is recommended.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety
- ✓Reflexology involving stimulation of solar plexus, pituitary gland, and heart reflex points combined with foot massage was tested as an intervention to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
- ✓One hundred male patients were randomly assigned to receive either reflexology with specific reflex point stimulation or placebo foot massage only.
- ✓Anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger's state trait anxiety inventory to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology on pre-procedure anxiety reduction.
What This Means for You
Reflexology may help reduce anxiety before medical procedures, though the effect is modest and combines both the specific technique and general massage benefits.
What This Means for Practitioners
This RCT demonstrates that reflexology targeting solar plexus, pituitary gland, and heart points produces measurably greater anxiety reduction than placebo massage alone in pre-procedure patients.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for anxiety: common questions
Does reflexology help with anxiety?
Reflexology may help reduce anxiety before medical procedures, though the effect is modest and combines both the specific technique and general massage benefits.
What did this study find?
Reflexology involving stimulation of solar plexus, pituitary gland, and heart reflex points combined with foot massage was tested as an intervention to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography. One hundred male patients were randomly assigned to receive either reflexology with specific reflex point stimulation or placebo foot massage only. Anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger's state trait anxiety inventory to evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology on pre-procedure anxiety reduction.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 100 participants. It was published in Nursing and midwifery studies, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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