The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Fatigue, Pain and Physiological Parameters in Patients after Coronary Angiography

One of the most common methods of treatment in alternative medicine is reflexology foot.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain and physiological parameters of patients after coronary angiography in BaqiyatallahAzam hospitals in Tehran, Iran.

The study is a randomized controlled trial which contains 70 patients who are admitted in Critical Care Unit wards2016. Who entered in the study very easily, then divided randomly into two equal control and experimental groups. In the intervention group after measure and recorded basic information, prepared and warmed up the foot.  After the massage, foot reflexology, pain and fatigue in patients used the visual analog scale pain and fatigue and physiological parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure using a pressure gauge and a clock with a second hand on two occasions 2 hours and 4 hours after foot reflexology measured. It was used statistical test Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, Independent t test and paired t test and Bonferroni test for analysis.   

Results showed significant differences in pain and fatigue and systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels after the intervention among both groups (p<0.001), but wasn’t significant differences in heart rate, respiratory rate after the intervention among both groups (p<0.05).

According to this study, foot reflexology massage, is a useful nursing intervention.