This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of hand massage on patient anxiety and comfort before cataract surgery. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The 140 patients in this study were assigned to the intervention group (n ¼ 70), which received a 10-minute hand massage before cataract surgery, and to the control group (n ¼ 70), which received routine nursing care. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to collect data. Findings: The median STAI state scores of the intervention and control groups were found to be 46.0 (44.7 to 48.0) and 57.0 (55.75 to 59.00), respectively. The VAS comfort score of the intervention group after hand massage (4.0 [1.7-5.0]) was lower than that of the control group immediately before surgery (8.0 [6.0-10.0]) (P < .05). In addition, except oxygen saturation, the remaining vital signs were lower in the intervention group. Conclusions: Hand massage reduced the anxiety of patients, positively affected their vital signs, and increased their comfort.