Comparison of the effects of nature sounds and reflexology on hemodynamic indices among traumatic comatose patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Authors: Bahonar Elahe, Najafi Ghezeljeh Tahereh, Haghani HamidJournal: Journal of complementary & integrative medicinePublished: February 6, 2019DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2018-0106

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.4h-index: 25

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=120 participants

High Blood Pressure

In Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained

Background Traumatic comatose patients may experience disturbances in hemodynamic indices due to the nature of their disorder. This study aimed to compare the effects of nature sounds and reflexology on hemodynamic indices in traumatic comatose patients. Methods This randomized clinical trial using a factorial design was conducted on 120 traumatic comatose patients in two teaching hospitals in two urban areas of Iran. The patients were selected using a sequential sampling method and assigned into randomized quadruple blocks as control, nature sounds, reflexology and nature sounds-reflexology (combined) groups. The interventions were performed twice daily in two consecutive days lasting 30 min each time. The hemodynamic indices were measured before, and immediately, 30 min, and 2 h after the intervention using calibrated monitors. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including one-way ANOVA, Scheffe ad hoc, repeated measure ANOVA, Bonferroni ad hoc Chi-square test and Fisher's exact tests were used for data analysis via the SPSS software V.16. Results Significant differences were reported in terms of the mean arterial pressure between the control and reflexology groups (p=0.002), and the combined group (p=0.008) immediately after the interventions. The combined group showed statistically differences in systolic blood pressure compared to the nature sounds (p=0.007) and control (p=0.015) groups 30 min after the interventions. The nature sounds group showed differences in the pulse rate from the reflexology (p=0.048) and control (p=0.015) groups 30 min after the interventions in the second day. Conclusions While the immediate effects of the interventions on induction of the feeling of relaxation and tranquility, and reduction of hemodynamic indices were reported, they diminished over time. Nature sounds and reflexology as low-cost and relaxing tranquilizing methods can be used for the reduction of tension and improvement of hemodyn

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about high blood pressure

✓Reflexology and nature sounds interventions were performed twice daily for 30 minutes over two consecutive days on traumatic comatose patients to assess their effects on hemodynamic indices.
✓Hemodynamic measurements were taken at multiple time points: before intervention, immediately after, at 30 minutes, and at 2 hours post-intervention to track changes in patient status.
✓The study compared four treatment groups (control, nature sounds alone, reflexology alone, and combined nature sounds-reflexology) using a randomized controlled design with 120 traumatic comatose patients.

What This Means for You

If you're considering reflexology for a comatose loved one, this moderate-quality evidence suggests it may help stabilize blood pressure when combined with nature sounds, though more research is needed to confirm these benefits.

What This Means for Practitioners

This study suggests reflexology can produce measurable improvements in blood pressure in critically ill patients, particularly when combined with nature sounds, supporting its potential as a complementary intervention in hospital settings.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

120 participants

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Reflexology for high blood pressure: common questions

Does reflexology help with high blood pressure?

What did this study find?

Reflexology and nature sounds interventions were performed twice daily for 30 minutes over two consecutive days on traumatic comatose patients to assess their effects on hemodynamic indices. Hemodynamic measurements were taken at multiple time points: before intervention, immediately after, at 30 minutes, and at 2 hours post-intervention to track changes in patient status. The study compared four treatment groups (control, nature sounds alone, reflexology alone, and combined nature sounds-reflexology) using a randomized controlled design with 120 traumatic comatose patients.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 120 participants. It was published in Journal of complementary & integrative medicine, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.