The effect of hand reflexology on anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

Authors: Mobini-Bidgoli Maryam, Taghadosi Mohsen, Gilasi Hamidreza, Farokhian AlirezaJournal: Complementary therapies in clinical practicePublished: May 1, 2017DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.01.002

Q2 JournalSJR: 0.65h-index: 72SCImago

Strong EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=80 participants

Anxiety

In Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained

This study aimed to evaluate effects of hand reflexology on anxiety level in coronary angiography patients. This clinical trial recruited 80 eligible patients >6 months. The patients were randomly assigned to receive routine care plus either hand reflexology or a simple hand massage. Data were collected using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Both groups' anxiety levels were measured before (T0) and 30 min (T1) and 1 h after the intervention (T2). The mean anxiety level in the intervention group decreased from 57.54 at baseline to 55.47 after the intervention (P = 0.0001). The values in the control group were 54.27 and 51.4, respectively. The two groups had statistically significant differences in the mean scores of anxiety at T0 and T1 (P = 0.003), T1 and T2, and T0 and T2 (P = 0.0001). Hand reflexology could effectively decrease anxiety in coronary angiography patients.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety

✓Hand reflexology significantly reduced anxiety levels in coronary angiography patients, with mean anxiety scores decreasing from 57.54 to 55.47 (P = 0.0001).
✓The hand reflexology group showed statistically significant greater anxiety reduction compared to the control group at all measured time points (P = 0.003 at 30 minutes and P = 0.0001 at 1 hour).
✓Hand reflexology was found to be effective for decreasing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography procedures.

What This Means for You

Hand reflexology may help ease anxiety before a heart procedure, though it works as a complement to standard care rather than a replacement.

What This Means for Practitioners

This single-blind RCT provides strong evidence that hand reflexology can be a valuable anxiety-reduction tool for cardiac patients undergoing diagnostic procedures.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Sample Size

80 participants

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Reflexology for anxiety: common questions

Does reflexology help with anxiety?

Hand reflexology may help ease anxiety before a heart procedure, though it works as a complement to standard care rather than a replacement.

What did this study find?

Hand reflexology significantly reduced anxiety levels in coronary angiography patients, with mean anxiety scores decreasing from 57.54 to 55.47 (P = 0.0001). The hand reflexology group showed statistically significant greater anxiety reduction compared to the control group at all measured time points (P = 0.003 at 30 minutes and P = 0.0001 at 1 hour). Hand reflexology was found to be effective for decreasing anxiety in patients undergoing coronary angiography procedures.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 80 participants. It was published in Complementary therapies in clinical practice, a Q2 journal. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.