Effect of foot reflexology on anxiety and agitation in patients under mechanical ventilation after open heart surgery: A randomized clinical trial study

Non-pharmacological approaches such as foot reflexology massage for reducing complications and costs in different patients have been the focus of researchers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on anxiety and agitation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation after open heart surgery. This study was a double blind three-group randomized controlled trial. This research was conducted in two hospitals affiliated to Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran from February 2014 to April 2015. 96 patients were recruited and randomly allocated to the experimental group received 20 minutes foot reflexology (n=34), placebo group simple surface touching (n=30), and the control group (n=32). Foot reflexology massage for 20 minutes was provided to patients in the experimental group on the reflection points in the heart and lungs. The rate of anxiety and agitation based on Faces of Anxiety Scale (FAS) and the Richmond Agitation Scale (RSAS) were recorded in 6 stages. Data from 92 patients (31 in the intervention group and 30 in placebo group and 31 in the control group) were collected. Data from 92 patients, intervention, placebo and control groups (31, 30, and 30, respectively) were collected. Friedman test indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the mean of anxiety and agitation level in groups at different stages of time (P<0.001). The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated that there were not statistically significant differences between the level of anxiety and agitation among the three groups at different stages of time (P>0.05). Foot reflexology massage in reflection points of the heart and lung in patients after surgery did not reduce anxiety and agitation in patients.