The impact of hand reflexology on pain, anxiety and satisfaction during minimally invasive surgery under local anaesthetic: a randomised controlled trial

The effect of listening to music and foot reflexology on nausea, pain and anxiety in children during perioperative period: A randomized controlled study

AIM

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of listening to music and foot reflexology during the perioperative period on nausea, pain and anxiety in children aged 7-12 years.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The sample for the randomized controlled experimental study included children who underwent outpatient surgery in the Pediatric Surgery Clinic. Research data were collected. A total of 99 children were included in the study with 33 in the music group, 33 in the foot reflexology group, and 33 in the control group.

RESULTS

In the preoperative and postoperative periods, Children's Perioperative Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (CPMAS) scores for the music listening and reflexology groups were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). In the postoperative period, the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) scores for the reflexology and music listening groups after the application were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). Postoperative Baxter Retching Faces (BARF) scores were found to be significantly lower in children who listened to music compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) scores for children in the control group were found to be significantly higher in the postoperative period than for children in the music and reflexology groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

As a result, listening to music and reflexology during the perioperative period were effective in reducing anxiety, pain and nausea in children.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In the perioperative period, listening to music and reflexology for children can be recommended as non-pharmacological nursing interventions with low cost and easy implementation.

The effects of foot reflexology on pain and physiological indicators in children with leukemia under chemotherapy: a clinical trial study

BACKGROUND

Foot reflexology is a popular complementary medicine method; however, previous studies have shown conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate the impact of foot reflexology on pain and physiological responses caused by intrathecal injection of chemotherapy drugs in children with leukemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This clinical trial included 80 children with leukemia. The participants received 20 min foot reflexology (10 min each foot). The primary measured outcomes included pain and physiological indicators (blood pressure and heart rate).

RESULTS

The results showed that foot reflexology had a significant effect on reducing pain (p = 0.002) and improving physiological indicators [blood pressure (p = 0.002) and heart rate (p = 0.003)].

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of the present study, which shows the positive effect of foot reflexology on the improvement of pain and physiological indicators, foot reflexology can be used as a complementary treatment along with conventional therapies.

Machine-Based Hand Massage Ameliorates Preoperative Anxiety in Patients Awaiting Ambulatory Surgery

BACKGROUND

Hand massage therapies have been used to relieve anxiety and pain in various clinical situations. The effects of machine-based hand massage on preoperative anxiety in ambulatory surgery settings have not been evaluated.

PURPOSE

This prospective study was designed to investigate the effect of machine-based hand massage on preoperative anxiety and vital signs in ambulatory surgery patients.

METHODS

One hundred ninety-nine patients aged 18 years and older who were scheduled to receive ambulatory surgery were recruited from the Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital in Taipei City, Taiwan. The patients were assigned randomly to the experimental group (n = 101), which received presurgical machine-based hand massage therapy, and the control group (n = 98), which received no intervention. The patients in both groups completed the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form at preintervention (baseline) and postintervention.

RESULTS

Within-group comparisons of Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form scores showed significant decreases between preintervention and postintervention scores in the experimental group (44.3 ± 11.2 to 37.9 ± 8.7) and no significant change in the control group. Within-group comparisons of vital signs revealed a significant increase in mean respiration rate between baseline and postintervention in both groups (both ps < .05). Blood pressure was found to have decreased significantly only in the control group at postintervention (p < .05). No significant preintervention to postintervention change in pulse was observed in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study indicate that machine-based hand massage reduces anxiety significantly in patients awaiting ambulatory surgery while not significantly affecting their vital signs.

Effect of Hand Massage on Pain, Anxiety, and Vital Signs in Patients Before Venipuncture Procedure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Massage is one of the relaxation techniques commonly used in recent years to control pain, stress, and anxiety.

AIMS

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of hand massage application on pain, anxiety, and vital signs before venipuncture procedure.

METHODS

The sample of the study consisted of 97 individuals (48 experimental and 49 controls) who were admitted to a training and research hospital in Turkey between December 2018 and May 2019. Individuals assigned to the experimental group received hand massage. The data were obtained with an individual information form, a visual analog scale (VAS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 49.52 ± 12.48 years. There was no significant difference between the pain levels of the experimental and control groups (p > .05), but the anxiety level of the experimental group was significantly less than that of the control group (p < .05). There was also a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. The blood pressure and heart rate of the experimental group decreased significantly (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

Hand massage was found to be a simple, non-pharmacologic, inexpensive, and independent nursing practice that could be used to reduce anxiety and positively affect vital signs in patients before venipuncture procedure.

The effectiveness of massage on peri-operative anxiety in adults: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

and purpose: Massage has gained increasing attention for reducing peri-operative anxiety. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of massage for peri-operative anxiety in adults.

METHODS

Six English electronic databases were comprehensively searched from their inception to February 2020. Subgroup analysis, quality assessment, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression and publication bias assessment were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-five controlled trials comprising 2494 participants were included. The meta-analysis indicated that massage could significantly reduce peri-operative anxiety for most types of surgical patients. Specifically, it was effective for pre-, intra- and post-operative anxiety. Acupoint or specific body reflex area massage showed a larger effect than general massage did. Massage delivered by professionals and non-professionals were both effective. Massage lasting 10-20 min per session was the most worthy of recommendation. Massage was concomitant with the improvement of peri-operative vital signs and post-operative pain.

CONCLUSION

Massage is a promising complementary therapy for ameliorating peri-operative anxiety in adults.

Benefits of hand massage on anxiety in preoperative outpatient: A quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-tests

CONTEXT

Surgical patients experience procedure-related anxiety preoperatively. With delays and long waiting periods, surgical patients can experience increased anxiety and decreased satisfaction with their hospital visit.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage provided by the Caring Hands massage volunteers would reduce anxiety levels, increase satisfaction, and decrease physiological parameters among preoperative surgical patients.

DESIGN

This research study has a quasi-experimental design, with control and intervention groups, and pre and post-tests.

SETTING

This research study was conducted at Same Day Surgical Stations 53 and 63 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus, in Rochester Minnesota.

PATIENTS

One hundred and thirty-eight surgical outpatients were recruited preoperatively, with 31 participants in the control group and 107 in the intervention group.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients in the control group were asked to rest for 15 min. Patients in the intervention group received a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage administered by the Caring Hands massage volunteers from the Mayo Clinic Volunteer Program.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient anxiety level and physiological parameters were measured and recorded before and after a resting session (control group) or a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage session (intervention group). Patients in the intervention group were also surveyed for satisfaction. The feasibility of incorporating a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage into the preoperative routine was also analyzed.

RESULTS

After receiving a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage, patients experienced reduced anxiety levels and increased satisfaction. It was also found that it is feasible to add a 15-minute non-therapeutic hand massage to the routine of a same-day surgical station.

The Effect of Hand Reflexology Massage on Pain and Fatigue in Patients after Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction

Coronary angiography can cause pain and fatigue in patients. Hand reflexology as complementary and integrative care approach has been suggested to help with the reduction of patient's pain and fatigue.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the effect of hand reflexology on pain and fatigue in patients after coronary angiography.

Design

A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Methods

This study was conducted on 90 patients in an angiography department of a referral hospital in an urban area of Iran. The patients were randomly divided into two interventions (n = 45) and control (n = 45) groups. Hand reflexology was performed for 20 minutes in the intervention group. Pain and fatigue in the groups were measured immediately, 4 and 6 hours after the intervention.

Results

Statistically significant differences were observed in pain and fatigue scores between the groups after the intervention (P = 0.001). The intervention had medium to large effects on the patients' pain and fatigue. Hand reflexology as a nonpharmacological and safe technique can be used by nurses along with other pharmacologic interventions in order to reduce patients' suffering related to invasive procedures. The trial is registered with IRCT20110912007529N17.

The Effect of Aromatherapy by Rose Essence on Anxiety and Physiological Indices of Conscious Patients Admitted at Intensive Care Units

Background: Anxiety in patients admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is common and usually moderate or severe. Anxiety affects endocrine and physiological responses. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy by rose essence on anxiety and physiological indices of conscious patients admitted at ICU. Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 conscious patients admitted at ICU wards in Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital of Rafsanjan were selected and randomly allocated into two groups of intervention and control. In the intervention group, three drops of 10% rose essence were poured on the gauze and placed 20 cm from the patients’ nose on their shirt, and the patients inhaled it for 20 minutes three times a day. In the control group, three drops of distilled water were used likewise. Data collection tools included Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.18. Results: According to the results, in the intervention group, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly increased (paired t-test, P < 0.05) in the second time after the intervention and significantly decreased (paired t-test, P < 0.05) in the third time. The mean oxygen saturation of arterial blood also significantly increased in the second time in this group after the intervention (paired t-test, P = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in anxiety score before and after the intervention in each group. Conclusions: Although aromatherapy using rose essence was statistically significant on some of the physiological indices of conscious patients in ICU, these differences were not clinically significant.

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain, Fatigue, and Quality of Sleep after Kidney Transplantation Surgery: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial

Materials and Methods

The study was a parallel randomized controlled trial. Patients admitted to the transplantation ward participated in the study. Fifty-three eligible patients were allocated into the foot reflexology group (n = 26) and the control group (n = 27) by using the stratified randomization method. Finally, 25 participants in each group finished the study. The intervention group received foot reflexology for 30 minutes once a day for three consecutive days, and no reflexology was applied in the control group. The intervention started on the second day after surgery. Pain, fatigue, and quality of sleep were measured on the first, second (before intervention), third, fourth, and eleventh days after surgery. Data were collected using visual analogue scale for measuring pain and fatigue and Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale for measuring quality of sleep.

Results

In each group, 25 patients finished the study. The mean pain score in the foot reflexology and control groups decreased from 9.44 ± 0.96 and 9.36 ± 0.91 on the day of surgery to 1.32 ± 0.94 and 4.32 ± 1.68 on the eleventh day after surgery, respectively. The mean fatigue score in the reflexology and control groups decreased from 8.76 ± 1.27 and 8.6 ± 1.26 on the day of surgery to 1.24 ± 1.2 and 3.92 ± 1.63 on the eleventh day after surgery, respectively. The mean sleep score in the foot reflexology and control groups increased from 33.38 ± 11.22 and 39.59 ± 12.8 on the day of surgery to 69.43 ± 12.8 and 56.27 ± 8.03 on the eleventh day after surgery, respectively. While pain, fatigue, and sleep quality scores improved in both groups, those in the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement compared with the control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the use of acetaminophen on the first, second, third, fourth, and eleventh days after surgery (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Foot reflexology may reduce pain and fatigue and improve sleep quality of patients after kidney transplantation.

Effects of Extremity Massage on Preoperative Anxiety: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial on Phacoemulsification Candidates

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to compare the effects of foot and hand massage on preoperative anxiety.

DESIGN

Three-arm randomized, nonblinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 90 female candidates waiting for phacoemulsification cataract surgery in Arak Amirkabir Hospital, Iran. Patients were consecutively selected and randomly divided into three groups of hand (n = 30), foot (n = 30), and placebo (n = 30), using a random number generator software program. In each group, massage was performed 5 minutes for each hand or foot in the surgical waiting room about 10 minutes before surgery. Anxiety was measured before and after the intervention by visual analog scale and also assessing physiological indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures).

FINDINGS

All the 90 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Both hand and foot massage resulted in a significant decrease compared with placebo massage in anxiety and heart rate. However, no significant difference was found between hand and foot massage in any of the measured parameters. In the foot group and hand group, a significant reduction was observed in heart rate and anxiety after the intervention, whereas the anxiety increased significantly in the placebo group after the intervention. Moreover, systolic blood pressure in the foot group and the respiratory rate in the hand group significantly decreased after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Application of hand or foot massage seems to be effective in managing anxiety in patients waiting for phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Comparing the Effect of Foot and Hand Reflexology on Pain Severity after Appendectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:

Appendicitis is one of the main causes of acute pain. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of foot and hand reflexology on pain severity following appendectomy.

Materials and Methods:

This clinical trial was conducted on 38 patients undergoing appendectomy in Alimoradian Hospital of Nahavand, Iran, in 2016. The samples were selected using convenience sampling, and then, randomly assigned to hand and foot reflexology groups via simple random sampling. In the foot reflexology group, the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the feet were lubricated using natural olive oil for five minutes. Next, reflexology was done by applying pressure to the appendix reflex area for 20 minutes. The same intervention was applied in the hand reflexology group. The severity of pain was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before the intervention and one, three, and 24 hours after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, One-way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA), and repeated measures ANOVA.

Results:

The results of one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in the mean pain severity between the two groups (p = 0.771), whereas pain severity in the foot reflexology group was significantly lower than that of the hand reflexology group after the intervention (t = 1.63, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

The results of this study showed that foot reflexology was more effective than hand reflexology in pain alleviation.

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with cardiovascular diseases usually suffer from hospital anxiety and depression.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on anxiety and depression in female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety older women with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n=45 in each group).

RESEARCH DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

INTERVENTION

The intervention and control groups received foot reflexology massage and routine care, respectively.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

The levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated using the hospital's anxiety and depression scale (HADS) before and immediately after foot reflexology massage.

RESULTS

Foot reflexology massage reduced both anxiety (F(1.44)=19.11, p = .001) and depression (F(1.44)=16.76, p = .001) in acute coronary patients relative to control patients. The intervention had a large effect on hospital anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Foot reflexology massage is an efficient and safe intervention for alleviating psychological responses among female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization.

Randomized Controlled Trials and Quasi-Experimental Studies Published in Nursing Journals: Findings From a Scoping Review With Implications for Further Research

BACKGROUND

Experimental studies are considered capable of generating substantial evidence; therefore, their production and diffusion are continuously encouraged. However, their trends as publication outputs in nursing journals have rarely been evaluated to date.

AIMS

To describe experimental study design features among the highest indexed nursing journals.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed by retrieving and analyzing experimental studies published between 2009 and 2016 in nursing journals with a 5-year impact factor >1.5 according to Thomson's Journal Citation Reports.

RESULTS

A total of 602 studies were reviewed and 340 (56%) were included; in all, 298/340 (87.6%) were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 37/340 (10.9%) pilot studies. The publication trend exhibited a fluctuating pattern with a slight decrease over time (from 54 studies in 2009 to 32 in 2016). Researchers working in Asia and Europe have published more frequently in the selected journals. Published studies most often involved oncological (n = 69, 20%), surgical (n = 41, 12%), and elderly patients (n = 38, 11%). Educational and supportive (n = 119, 35%) interventions were mainly tested for effectiveness. Approximately half of studies enrolled <100 patients, and only two-thirds had included an a priori sample size calculation. Less than one quarter (n = 76) of the research teams were multiprofessional, and 70% of studies were funded, generally, by public institutions.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

A broad range of research questions has been investigated to date by using experimental study designs. However, study methods and multidisciplinary collaborations must be enhanced with the intent of producing large-scale and methodologically sound studies. Furthermore, reasons for limited funding and, particularly, the lack of support from private funding should be further investigated.

The Effects of Reflexology on Fatigue Severity of Patients with Cancer

Introduction: Breast cancer is a major threat to women’s health and a common factor that can reduce their life expectancy. Complementary medicine such as reflexology is known to reduce fatigue severity in cancer patients. The present study aimed to cultivate the effect of reflexology on fatigue severity of patients with breast cancer. Methods: The present pre-post clinical trial recruited 57 patients with breast cancer and involved an experimental and a control group. All patients were livening in Ilam, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (N=27) and control (N=30). The experimental group received reflexology for 4 sessions. Data were collected using Fatigue severity scale (FSS) and demographic information questionnaire. FSS was completed by the patients twice; before the intervention and 2 months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS and running t-test and ANOVA. Results: Results showed no significant difference in fatigue severity between experimental (45.44±5.30) and control (43.66±7.68) groups prior to the intervention (p>0.05). However, after conducting the intervention, a significant difference in fatigue severity was seen between the experimental (20.66±4.54) and control (40.36±9.58) groups (p=0.000). Conclusion: The present study showed that reflexology decrease fatigue severity in patients with breast cancer and community health nursing can to use of these complementary medicine to increase patients health conditions.

Effectiveness of reflexology on anxiety of patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

To appraise the evidence concerning the effect of reflexology on the anxiety in patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety, fear, and other unpleasant emotional experiences are common among patients before and after cardiovascular interventional procedures. The higher anxiety may affect prognosis and recovery of patients.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

The MEDLINE, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched between 2001-2017.

REVIEW METHODS

Randomized controlled trials evaluated the effectiveness of reflexology on anxiety among patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures were included. Meta-analysis was done using Revman 5.3.

RESULTS

Ten trials, representing 760 patients with the mean age of 59, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Reflexology significantly decreased the anxiety of patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures in the treatment group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Reflexology has some positive effects on anxiety among patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures. It may be a useful complementary therapy and further research is necessary to create reliable evidence.