Aromatherapy massage versus reflexology on female elderly with acute coronary syndrome
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained
Fatigue and abnormalities in cardiovascular parameters are recognized as major problems for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions are useful for controlling this fatigue and reducing patients' suffering during hospitalization. The present study compared the effects of aromatherapy massage and reflexology on fatigue and cardiovascular parameters in older female patients with acute coronary syndrome. This study was a randomized clinical trial. The study was conducted with 135 older female patients with acute coronary syndrome who were hospitalized in a cardiac care unit in 2014. They were invited to participate in the study and then were randomly divided into three groups: 'aromatherapy massage', 'reflexology' and 'control'. The fatigue severity and cardiovascular parameters were assessed using the Rhoten fatigue scale and a checklist. Measurements in the groups were performed before and immediately after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics via the SPSS software. Aromatherapy massage significantly decreased fatigue, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and O2 saturation more than the reflexology intervention. However, reflexology reduced patients' heart rates more than an aromatherapy massage (P < 0·05). Moreover, no significant changes were observed in patients' diastolic blood pressures when compared to the control group (P = 0·37). Implementation of both aromatherapy massage and reflexology has positive effects on the fatigue and cardiovascular parameters of patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, aromatherapy massage can be more beneficial to use as a supportive approach in coronary diseases. The need for reducing fatigue in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in a cardiac care unit is evident. The implementation of aromatherapy massage and reflexology had positive effects on patients' fatigue as related
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about high blood pressure
- ✓Both aromatherapy massage and reflexology were evaluated as non-pharmacological nursing interventions to reduce fatigue and improve cardiovascular parameters in elderly female patients with acute coronary syndrome.
- ✓The study involved 135 older female patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit who were randomly assigned to three groups: aromatherapy massage, reflexology, or control.
- ✓Fatigue severity and cardiovascular parameters were measured using the Rhoten fatigue scale before and immediately after the interventions to assess treatment effectiveness.
What This Means for You
If you're recovering from a heart event, reflexology may help lower your heart rate, though aromatherapy massage appears more effective for fatigue and blood pressure—discuss which option suits your needs with your care team.
What This Means for Practitioners
This evidence suggests reflexology effectively reduces heart rate in acute coronary syndrome patients, positioning it as a valuable complement to conventional cardiac care when integrated into hospital protocols.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for high blood pressure: common questions
Does reflexology help with high blood pressure?
If you're recovering from a heart event, reflexology may help lower your heart rate, though aromatherapy massage appears more effective for fatigue and blood pressure—discuss which option suits your needs with your care team.
What did this study find?
Both aromatherapy massage and reflexology were evaluated as non-pharmacological nursing interventions to reduce fatigue and improve cardiovascular parameters in elderly female patients with acute coronary syndrome. The study involved 135 older female patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit who were randomly assigned to three groups: aromatherapy massage, reflexology, or control. Fatigue severity and cardiovascular parameters were measured using the Rhoten fatigue scale before and immediately after the interventions to assess treatment effectiveness.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 135 participants. It was published in Nursing in critical care. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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