Comparison of the Effects of Foot and Hand Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Authors: Zeidy Pouya, Safdari Ali, Kerami Azam, Safarabadi MehdiJournal: Advanced biomedical researchPublished: January 1, 2025DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_103_25

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=108 participants

Anxiety

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

Anxiety and pain are common challenges among patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU). This study aimed to compare the effects of hand and foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in CCU patients. A randomized clinical trial was conducted between June and September 2024. Of the 131 patients assessed for eligibility, 108 were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: hand reflexology, foot reflexology, and control. Reflexology sessions were performed twice daily over three consecutive days. Anxiety was evaluated using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and pain was measured with the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests, with a significance level of P < 0.05. No significant differences were found among the groups regarding demographic or baseline clinical characteristics (P > 0.05), confirming initial group homogeneity. Following the intervention, both the hand and foot reflexology groups showed significant reductions in state and trait anxiety scores (P P = 0.563). Within-group analysis revealed a significant reduction in pain only in the hand reflexology group. Hand and foot reflexology were both effective in reducing anxiety in CCU patients. Hand reflexology also demonstrated potential for reducing pain, suggesting it may serve as a useful complementary therapy in critical care settings.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety

✓Both hand and foot reflexology groups demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety and pain compared to the control group in cardiac intensive care unit patients.
✓The study enrolled 108 patients randomly assigned to hand reflexology, foot reflexology, and control groups, with reflexology sessions performed twice daily over three consecutive days.
✓Initial demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were homogeneous across all three groups, establishing a valid basis for comparing the effects of the two reflexology interventions.

What This Means for You

If you're in cardiac intensive care, reflexology—particularly hand reflexology—may help ease anxiety and pain as a complement to your medical care, though more research in larger studies is needed.

What This Means for Practitioners

Consider promoting hand reflexology for pain management and both hand and foot reflexology for anxiety in cardiac care settings, as this RCT suggests both approaches are effective.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

108 participants

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

What did this study find?

Both hand and foot reflexology groups demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety and pain compared to the control group in cardiac intensive care unit patients. The study enrolled 108 patients randomly assigned to hand reflexology, foot reflexology, and control groups, with reflexology sessions performed twice daily over three consecutive days. Initial demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were homogeneous across all three groups, establishing a valid basis for comparing the effects of the two reflexology interventions.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 108 participants. It was published in Advanced biomedical research. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.