The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Fatigue in Patients after Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology, explained
Coronary angiography can cause pain and fatigue in patients. Hand reflexology as complementary and integrative care approach has been suggested to help with the reduction of patient's pain and fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hand reflexology on pain and fatigue in patients after coronary angiography. A randomized controlled clinical trial. This study was conducted on 90 patients in an angiography department of a referral hospital in an urban area of Iran. The patients were randomly divided into two interventions (n = 45) and control (n = 45) groups. Hand reflexology was performed for 20 minutes in the intervention group. Pain and fatigue in the groups were measured immediately, 4 and 6 hours after the intervention. Statistically significant differences were observed in pain and fatigue scores between the groups after the intervention (P = 0.001). The intervention had medium to large effects on the patients' pain and fatigue. Hand reflexology as a nonpharmacological and safe technique can be used by nurses along with other pharmacologic interventions in order to reduce patients' suffering related to invasive procedures. The trial is registered with IRCT20110912007529N17.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found
- ✓Hand reflexology massage performed for 20 minutes significantly reduced pain and fatigue in patients after coronary angiography compared to control group (P = 0.001).
- ✓The effect of hand reflexology on pain and fatigue reduction was of medium to large magnitude in patients post-coronary angiography.
- ✓Pain and fatigue improvements from hand reflexology were sustained across multiple measurement timepoints (immediately, 4 hours, and 6 hours after intervention).
What This Means for You
If you're facing a coronary angiography, hand reflexology appears to meaningfully reduce pain and fatigue afterward, though it works best as a complement to standard medical care.
What This Means for Practitioners
This RCT provides evidence that 20-minute hand reflexology sessions can significantly reduce post-procedure pain and fatigue, supporting reflexology's role as a safe complementary intervention in clinical settings.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
If you're facing a coronary angiography, hand reflexology appears to meaningfully reduce pain and fatigue afterward, though it works best as a complement to standard medical care.
What did this study find?
Hand reflexology massage performed for 20 minutes significantly reduced pain and fatigue in patients after coronary angiography compared to control group (P = 0.001). The effect of hand reflexology on pain and fatigue reduction was of medium to large magnitude in patients post-coronary angiography. Pain and fatigue improvements from hand reflexology were sustained across multiple measurement timepoints (immediately, 4 hours, and 6 hours after intervention).
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 90 participants. It was published in Nursing research and practice. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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