The effect of foot reflexology on physiologic parameters and mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery: A clinical trial study
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for high blood pressure, explained
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of foot reflexology on physiological parameters and mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This was a double blind three-group randomized controlled trial. Totally, 96 patients were recruited and randomly allocated to the experimental, placebo, and the control groups. Study groups respectively received foot reflexology, simple surface touching, and the routine care of the study setting. Physiological parameters (pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, percutaneous oxygen saturation) and weaning time were measured. The study groups did not differ significantly in terms of physiological parameters (P value > 0.05). However, the length of weaning time in the experimental group was significantly shorter than the placebo and the control groups (P value < 0.05). The study findings demonstrated the efficiency of foot reflexology in shortening the length of weaning time.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about high blood pressure
- ✓Foot reflexology significantly reduced mechanical ventilation weaning time in post-open-heart surgery patients compared to placebo and control groups.
- ✓Foot reflexology did not produce significant improvements in physiological parameters including pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation in open-heart surgery patients.
What This Means for You
If you're facing heart surgery, foot reflexology may help you get off the ventilator sooner, though this evidence comes from one well-designed study and should be discussed with your surgical team.
What This Means for Practitioners
This RCT provides evidence that foot reflexology may reduce mechanical ventilation weaning time in post-operative cardiac patients, offering a potential application for your practice in hospital settings.
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 facing heart surgery, foot reflexology may help you get off the ventilator sooner, though this evidence comes from one well-designed study and should be discussed with your surgical team.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology significantly reduced mechanical ventilation weaning time in post-open-heart surgery patients compared to placebo and control groups. Foot reflexology did not produce significant improvements in physiological parameters including pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation in open-heart surgery patients.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 96 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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