Comparison of the Effects of Foot and Hand Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Patients Admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Background: Anxiety and pain are common challenges among patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU). This study aimed to compare the effects of hand and foot reflexology on anxiety and pain in CCU patients. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted between June and September 2024. Of the 131 patients assessed for eligibility, 108 were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: hand reflexology, foot reflexology, and control. Reflexology sessions were performed twice daily over three consecutive days. Anxiety was evaluated using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and pain was measured with the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t -tests, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: No significant differences were found among the groups regarding demographic or baseline clinical characteristics ( P > 0.05), confirming initial group homogeneity. Following the intervention, both the hand and foot reflexology groups showed significant reductions in state and trait anxiety scores ( P < 0.001), while the control group exhibited no significant changes. However, post-intervention pain scores did not significantly differ among the three groups ( P = 0.563). Within-group analysis revealed a significant reduction in pain only in the hand reflexology group. Conclusion: Hand and foot reflexology were both effective in reducing anxiety in CCU patients. Hand reflexology also demonstrated potential for reducing pain, suggesting it may serve as a useful complementary therapy in critical care settings.