The effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of foot reflexology massage on anxiety in patients following CABG surgery.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
Both measurement instruments confirmed a significant decrease in anxiety following the foot reflexology massage.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Electronic address: anna3043@gmail.com.
Masoumeh
M
Bagheri-Nesami
Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Electronic address: ashorofi@yahoo.com.
Seyed Afshin
SA
Shorofi
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Electronic address: zar200777@yahoo.com.
Nahid
N
Zargar
Ayatollah Rohani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran. Electronic address: sohraby.maryam@gmail.com.
Maryam
M
Sohrabi
Department of Anesthesiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, Iran. Electronic address: gholipourafshin@yahoo.com.
Afshin
A
Gholipour-Baradari
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Research Centre, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Electronic address: khalilianir@yahoo.com.
Alireza
A
Khalilian
D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
Anxiety; Coronary artery bypass graft; Foot reflexology massage