Comparing the effect of metatarsus and ankle reflexology massage on patient's state anxiety after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Anxiety is a common phenomenon after all the surgeries. Anxiety increases metabolism، cardiovascular and gastrointestinal activity and decreases immunity. Complementary methods such as; reflexology massage are interventions that due to their simplicity and lack of need to specialists، improving blood circulation and body homeostasis are used for patients. This study was done with the aim of “comparing the effect of metatarsus and ankle reflexology massage on patients’ anxiety. In this clinical trial، the research society included men and women undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Imam Ali hospital of Kermanshah that were randomly assigned to one of the three groups of metatarsus، ankle reflexology massage and control groups in 2012. Anxiety is measured through Spileburge’s State Anxiety Standard questionnaire; SPSS16 software، ANOVA and Mann Whitney were used for data analysis. Anxiety was decreased after using metatarsus and ankle reflexology massage. There was significant difference between state anxiety mean scores in control group and metatarsus reflexology massage group and also between control group and ankle reflexology massage group in the first day (p<0. 001).. Metatarsus and ankle reflexology massage are effective in decreasing state anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Therefore it is recommended to use these complementary methods for decreasing anxiety.