JOURNAL ARTICLE

Foot Reflexology for Pain and Anxiety Associated with Chest Tube Removal in Patients After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • Published In: Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 2025, v. 31, n. 1. P. 15 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ertürk, Elif Budak; Karadağ, Mevlüde 3 of 3

Abstract

Background • Reflexology is a method used to control the pain and anxiety associated with chest tube removal in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Primary Study Objective • This study aimed to identify the effect of foot reflexology applied before chest tube removal on pain and anxiety levels in patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods/Design • This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting • This study was conducted in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit of the Baskent University Ankara Hospital. Participants • Patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were randomly assigned either to the reflexology group or the control group (n = 28 individuals/ group). Intervention • The reflexology group received foot reflexology for 30 minutes in two sessions (first postoperative day and before chest tube removal). Primary Outcome Measures • The primary outcomes of the surgery were pain, evaluated using a Numeric PainRating Scale; and anxiety, evaluated using the Profile of Mood States Scale Tension-Anxiety Subscale. Pain and anxiety were determined on the first (before and after the reflexology) and second postoperative days (before and after the reflexology and immediately, 15 min, 1 hour (only pain level) after chest tube removal). Results • The mean pain scores of the control and intervention groups were similar during chest tube removal, 15 minutes after, and 1 hour after (P > .05). Although mean anxiety scores were comparable after chest tube removal in both groups (P > .05), a significant difference was found 15 minutes later (P < .05). The increase in pain (P = .0001) and anxiety (P = .032) levels before and after the removal was significantly less in the intervention group compared to the control group, based on pain and anxiety scores. Conclusion • Foot reflexology significantly reduced the increase in pain and anxiety during chest tube removal in patients with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 2025/01, Vol. 31, Issue 1, p15
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1078-6791
  • Accession Number:183183288
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