The effect of foot reflexology on pain and anxiety of male patients with chest trauma: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: This study ascertained how foot reflexology affected pain and anxiety in male chest trauma patients.
METHODS: In Saveh, Iran, from November 2019 to January 2020, 49 chest trauma patients with blunt and penetrating chest injuries underwent this two-arm, double-blinded, and randomized controlled experiment. Patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the foot reflexology group (FRG) (n=25) or the control group (CG) (n=24), which received no treatment. The Visual Analog Scale and Spielberger state anxiety inventory, respectively, were used to assess each patient’s pain intensity and anxiety before and after the intervention. After 25 min of reflexology on the reflection point in the right foot in the FRG, all treatments were carried out in the left foot. Apart from the intervention, patients in both groups were given routine care.
RESULTS: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between foot reflexology and CG in regards to pain severity (69.17±21.53 vs. 70.28±19.61, p=0.53) and anxiety (56.35±18.30 vs. 54.91±17.25, p=0.46). While after the intervention, pain severity and anxiety for the FRG (24.63±14.18, 23.71±10.25) were significantly less than the CG (63.46±20.17, 48.58±15.61) (p<0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Foot reflexology in male patients with chest trauma reduces pain and anxiety without increasing side effects.