Showing 3 results for Foot Reflexology
Farideh Bastani, Elaheh Rouhi Rahim Begloo, Hamid Haghani,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (9-2015)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Anxiety is associated with postpartum mood disorder and is increased with birth of high risk neonates. Foot reflexology is a nursing intervention that can be used to reduce anxiety. T he aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology on anxiety in mothers with high risk neonates after Cesarean section s .
Methods & Materials: In this non-randomized clinical trial, 99 mothers having high risk neonates were recruited from the Women's General Hospital and Valieasr Hospital . The participants were allocated into three groups (n=33/group) using convenience sampling method . The group I received foot r eflexology for 40 minutes group II received leg massage and the control group received usual care after the Cesarean section. The Spielberger questionnaire was completed at baseline and three days after the interventions by the participants . Data were analyzed using the r epeated measure ANOVA and Chi-Squared in the SPSS-16 .
Results: At the baseline, there were no significant differences between the three groups in terms of demographic characteristics and the mean scores of anxiety . After the interventions, the mean score of anxiety was significantly lower in the reflexology and placebo groups than the control group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the reflexology and placebo groups in terms of the mean scores of anxiety (P>0.05). Comparing the mean score of anxiety between the reflexology (14.7±7.2) and placebo (9.4±8.5) groups indicated that the reflexology intervention was more effective in reducing anxiety .
Conclusion: The use of foot reflexology was effective in reducing anxiety. Nurses should use this non-pharmacologic method to control the symptoms of anxiety among mothers .
Faezeh Naghiha, Narges Sadeghi, Azam Alavi,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Exploring non-pharmacological interventions that may support standard care in children with this condition is crucial for improving clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology massage on the respiratory patterns of children hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis.
Methods & Materials: This clinical trial included two groups with pre- and post-intervention assessments. The study was conducted on children admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis to Imam Hossein Specialized Hospital in Isfahan in 2023. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The intervention consisted of foot reflexology massage administered every two hours, with each session lasting ten to fifteen minutes per leg, from admission until recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance, with a significance level of 0.05, using SPSS software version 26.
Results: After controlling for blood glucose, blood PH, and bicarbonate levels, the mean recovery time from diabetic ketoacidosis was significantly shorter in the experimental group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Following the intervention, both groups exhibited a significant increase in blood PH and bicarbonate levels (P<0.001). Moreover, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly higher mean bicarbonate level compared to the control group after the intervention (P=0.009).
Conclusion: Foot reflexology massage was associated with a shorter duration of diabetic ketoacidosis in children, independent of blood glucose, PH, and bicarbonate levels. These findings suggest that incorporating foot reflexology massage as an adjunct to standard care may enhance patient recovery and improve clinical outcomes in pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20130812014333N202
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.
