The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Anxiety After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Authors: Göktuna Gizem, Dağcan Necibe, Arslan Gülşah GürolJournal: The Journal of cardiovascular nursingDOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000001033

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=48 participants

Anxiety

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

Pain and anxiety are common postoperative problems that impair recovery and quality of life in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Reflexology is a nonpharmacologic method used to control pain and anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of reflexology hand massage and stroking massage on pain and anxiety in patients in the immediate postoperative period after CABG. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we compared the effects of a 20-minute hand-reflexology massage to placebo stroking massage on pain and anxiety in newly extubated patients in the intensive care unit who had undergone CABG surgery. Pain was measured by visual analog scale and anxiety by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory before and at 5, 30, and 60 minutes post intervention. A total of 48 patients were enrolled: 24 in the intervention group and 24 in the placebo. Mean pain scores were significantly reduced in the group who received reflexology compared with the placebo group ( F = 36.569, P = .000). Mean anxiety scores were significantly reduced at 60 minutes for the reflexology group compared with the control group ( P = .000). We found that hand reflexology massage was effective in reducing pain and anxiety in patients during the immediate postoperative period after CABG.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety

✓Hand reflexology massage significantly reduced pain scores in post-CABG patients compared to placebo stroking massage.
✓A 20-minute hand reflexology intervention produced measurable effects on pain and anxiety within 5-60 minutes after administration in intensive care patients.
✓This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial provides evidence that reflexology is an effective nonpharmacologic method for managing postoperative pain and anxiety following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

What This Means for You

If you're recovering from bypass surgery, this moderate-quality evidence suggests hand reflexology may help reduce your pain and anxiety during the critical early recovery period.

What This Means for Practitioners

This controlled study demonstrates that hand reflexology can be an effective nonpharmacologic intervention for post-operative CABG patients, supporting its integration into hospital-based pain and anxiety management protocols.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

48 participants

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

If you're recovering from bypass surgery, this moderate-quality evidence suggests hand reflexology may help reduce your pain and anxiety during the critical early recovery period.

What did this study find?

Hand reflexology massage significantly reduced pain scores in post-CABG patients compared to placebo stroking massage. A 20-minute hand reflexology intervention produced measurable effects on pain and anxiety within 5-60 minutes after administration in intensive care patients. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial provides evidence that reflexology is an effective nonpharmacologic method for managing postoperative pain and anxiety following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 48 participants. It was published in The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.