Effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters in patients after CABG surgery.

Method: This was a single-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with three groups of 40 male patients undergoing CABG. Participants were placed in three groups, named intervention, placebo, and control. Physiological parameters were measured including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, percutaneous oxygen saturation, and anxiety of participants.

Results: Results showed a statistically significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of the level of anxiety (p < 0.05). Also, results showed a statistically significant effect on all physiological parameters except heart rate (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicated that foot reflexology may be used by nurses as an adjunct to standard ICU care to reduce anxiety and stabilize physiological parameters such as systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate.

Keywords: Anxiety; Coronary artery bypass graft; Foot reflexology; Nursing; Physiological parameters.