Effect of foot reflexology massage on physiological indices in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is of particular importance within the range of cardiovascular diseases. AMI is accompanied by changes in physiological indicators that can put patients at risk. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology massage on physiological indicators in patients with AMI. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial, sampling methods was purposeful and group assignment was done randomly in coronary care unit at Shahid Rajaei hospital, Karaj. Ninety patients with AMI were assigned in three experimental, placebo and control groups. Foot reflexology intervention was done on three consecutive days, each time 20 minutes. Physiological indicators including vital sign, blood oxygen saturation and cardiac rhythm were recorded before, immediately after and 20 minutes later for each group. Results: In three periods, the percentage of blood oxygen saturation in experimental group was increasing (P