Effect of foot reflexology massage on pain and pain anxiety severity during dressing change in burn patients

Authors: Zamani Kiasari AliehJournal: Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn InjuriesPublished: December 1, 2022DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2022.07.018

Q1 JournalSJR: 0.9h-index: 120SCImago

Limited EvidenceObservational

Anxiety

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

This study examined whether foot reflexology massage could help reduce pain and anxiety in burn patients during wound dressing changes, a procedure known to be very painful. The researchers measured pain and anxiety levels before and after reflexology treatment to see if this traditional technique offered relief during this difficult medical procedure.

Key Findings: what this observational study found about anxiety

✓Foot reflexology massage was investigated as a potential intervention to reduce pain severity in burn patients undergoing wound dressing changes.
✓The study measured both pain and anxiety levels as outcomes, recognizing that dressing changes are a particularly painful procedure for burn patients.
✓Reflexology was tested as a traditional complementary technique to provide relief during a challenging medical procedure.

What This Means for You

If you're a burn patient facing painful dressing changes, foot reflexology may help ease some of your pain and anxiety, though more research is needed to confirm how effective it truly is.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology may be a supportive complementary tool for burn care settings during dressing changes, but advocate for larger controlled studies to establish clinical credibility in this specialized medical context.

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

If you're a burn patient facing painful dressing changes, foot reflexology may help ease some of your pain and anxiety, though more research is needed to confirm how effective it truly is.

What did this study find?

Foot reflexology massage was investigated as a potential intervention to reduce pain severity in burn patients undergoing wound dressing changes. The study measured both pain and anxiety levels as outcomes, recognizing that dressing changes are a particularly painful procedure for burn patients. Reflexology was tested as a traditional complementary technique to provide relief during a challenging medical procedure.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a observational study and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries, a Q1 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.