The effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: reflexology for anxiety, explained
To examine the effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety in patients following CABG surgery. In this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients who met the inclusion criteria were conveniently sampled and randomly allocated to the experimental and control groups after they were matched on age and gender. On the days following surgery, the experimental group received foot reflexology massage on their left foot 20 min a day for 4 days, while the control group was given a gentle foot rub with oil for one minute. Anxiety was measured using the short-form of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety. Both measurement instruments confirmed a significant decrease in anxiety following the foot reflexology massage. The significant decrease in anxiety in the experimental group following the foot reflexology massage supports the use of this complementary therapy technique for the relief of anxiety.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety
- ✓Foot reflexology massage applied for 20 minutes daily over 4 days significantly decreased anxiety in post-CABG surgery patients compared to a control group receiving only a brief gentle foot rub.
- ✓Both the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety confirmed the anxiety-reducing effects of foot reflexology massage in this patient population.
- ✓Foot reflexology massage is a viable complementary therapy technique for managing anxiety in patients recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
What This Means for You
If you're facing heart bypass surgery, reflexology massage may help ease post-operative anxiety based on this solid clinical trial, though more research would strengthen this evidence.
What This Means for Practitioners
This RCT supports incorporating foot reflexology into post-surgical care protocols, particularly for CABG patients, as a 20-minute daily treatment demonstrated measurable anxiety reduction.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Reflexology for anxiety: common questions
Does reflexology help with anxiety?
If you're facing heart bypass surgery, reflexology massage may help ease post-operative anxiety based on this solid clinical trial, though more research would strengthen this evidence.
What did this study find?
Foot reflexology massage applied for 20 minutes daily over 4 days significantly decreased anxiety in post-CABG surgery patients compared to a control group receiving only a brief gentle foot rub. Both the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Visual Analogue Scale-Anxiety confirmed the anxiety-reducing effects of foot reflexology massage in this patient population. Foot reflexology massage is a viable complementary therapy technique for managing anxiety in patients recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
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.
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The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Anxiety After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
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