Effect of hand reflexology on anxiety and physiological variables among patients hospitalized in the cardiac care unit: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background and objective: Admission to the cardiac care unit may cause physiological and psychological problems in patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hand reflexology on anxiety and physiological variables among female patients with acute coronary syndrome hospitalized in the cardiac care unit.Methods: This randomized placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 female patients hospitalized in the cardiac care unit in an urban area of Iran. The patients were chosen using a convenient sampling method and then were randomly assigned into intervention (n = 45) and placebo (n = 45) groups. While the intervention group received hand reflexology for 20 minutes, the placebo group received a simple touch of hand without the stimulation of reflexology points. Demographic data was collected at the beginning of the study using face-to-face interviews with the patients. The anxiety level was assessed using the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) immediately after the intervention and 30 min after the intervention. Also, physiological variables including respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were measured before, immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes after the intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.Results: There was no statistically significant differences between the intervention and placebo groups before the intervention (p > .05). The anxiety level in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the placebo group immediately after the intervention and 30 minutes after the intervention (p < .05, η = 0.090). However, no statistically significant differences in physiological variables between the groups were observed (p > .05). Conclusions:Hand reflexology influenced the level of anxiety. Therefore, nurses can use hand reflexology as a method for reducing patients' anxiety along with other nursing interventions.

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Physiological Indicators and Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Time among Open-Heart Surgery Patients

“…Data were collected using participants' physiological indicators and MV weaning time assessment tool. It was developed by the primary investigator based upon relevant literature [16,24,27,28,29]. It consists of two parts:…”

“…On the contrary, many research studies did not reveal the positive effect of foot reflexology on physiological parameters. This inconsistency could be due to many factors such as applying foot massage by two different individuals [28], recruiting small sample size [41,42] and variations in the number and duration of reflexology sessions [29].…”

Popular Complementary and Alternative Therapy Methods in Different Conditions

“…The feet, hands and ears are a mini map and a mirror of the body, and all organs and glands are associated with reflective points in these areas. Applied pressure to these areas provides relief and healing to the corresponding part of the body 87,88 . There is evidence that some form of reflexology was practiced in Egypt around 2000 BC.…”

The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Fatigue in Patients after Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Since each body organ has reflections in the foot, palm, and ear, reflexology experts believe that hands and feet are the body's mirror and map of the body embodies in hands and feet. Therefore, certain reflective stimulant influences related organs and systems [ 23 , 24 ]. All organs and glands in the body are associated with reflective points in feet, hands, and ears.…”

“…Various theories have been presented to describe the effect of reflexology and one of them is the stimulation of neural receptors through emphasizing the relationship between the central and peripheral nervous systems [ 23 , 24 , 27 ]. Reflexology has been shown to reduce pain and fatigue in chronic diseases such as in patients with lymphoma [ 28 ].…”