Atefeh Estabraghi, Tabandeh Sadeghi, Seyedhamid Seyedbagheri, Reyhaneh Hassanshahi,
Volume 31, Issue 4 (1-2026)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are utilized to manage pain and improve physiological indicators in patients with COVID-19. Reflexology is a non-pharmacological complementary method that is often used. The current study sought to investigate the impact of foot reflexology on pain and physiological indicators in patients with COVID-19.
Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (AS) Hospital in Rafsanjan in 2022 AH. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups using a coin toss. In the intervention group, foot reflexology was performed on lung-related points for 10 minutes daily for 5 consecutive days. The control group received simple foot massage without pressure on lung-related points. Before and after the intervention, the pain score and physiological indicators (arterial blood oxygen saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, temperature were examined and recorded. The data were analyzed using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and chi-square tests in SPSS version 20 software.
Results: Following the intervention in the intervention group, the mean changes in pain score were 6.31, diastolic blood pressure was 7.82, and arterial blood oxygen saturation was 9.02. There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups (P<0.05). However, systolic blood pressure and temperature did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Foot reflexology was effective in improving pain and some physiological indicators in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, this non-invasive intervention is recommended for these patients.
