Effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A clinical trial
Moderate EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained
This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters in patients after CABG surgery. This was a single-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with three groups of 40 male patients undergoing CABG. Participants were placed in three groups, named intervention, placebo, and control. Physiological parameters were measured including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, percutaneous oxygen saturation, and anxiety of participants. Results showed a statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of the level of anxiety (p < 0.05). Also, results showed a statistically significant effect on all physiological parameters except heart rate (p < 0.05). This study indicated that foot reflexology may be used by nurses as an adjunct to standard ICU care to reduce anxiety and stabilize physiological parameters such as systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety
- ✓Foot reflexology significantly reduced anxiety levels in CABG surgery patients compared to control groups (p < 0.05).
- ✓Foot reflexology produced statistically significant improvements in physiological parameters including blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, but not heart rate (p < 0.05).
- ✓Foot reflexology may be used by nurses as a complementary intervention alongside standard ICU care to reduce anxiety and stabilize physiological parameters in post-CABG patients.
What This Means for You
If you're facing bypass surgery, reflexology may help ease anxiety and stabilize your blood pressure during recovery, though this evidence comes from a moderate-sized study and more research would strengthen the findings.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology shows promise as a complementary nursing intervention in ICU settings for cardiac surgery patients, particularly for anxiety reduction and blood pressure management.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for anxiety: common questions
Does reflexology help with anxiety?
If you're facing bypass surgery, reflexology may help ease anxiety and stabilize your blood pressure during recovery, though this evidence comes from a moderate-sized study and more research would strengthen the findings.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology significantly reduced anxiety levels in CABG surgery patients compared to control groups (p < 0.05). Foot reflexology produced statistically significant improvements in physiological parameters including blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation, but not heart rate (p < 0.05). Foot reflexology may be used by nurses as a complementary intervention alongside standard ICU care to reduce anxiety and stabilize physiological parameters in post-CABG patients.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 120 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
Related Research
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Improving Quality of Life in The Constipated Older Person: Reflexology or Abdominal Massage? A Two-Group, Randomized Comparative Trial
Effect of Reflexology on Decreasing Postoperative Pain and Anxiety After Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Anxiety After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
The Effect of Foot Massage with Biofeedback: A Pilot Study to Enhance Health Promotion in Elderly.
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