Effect of short-term hand reflexology on anxiety in patients before coronary angiography: A randomized placebo controlled trial

Introduction Most patients experience moderate to severe anxiety before coronary angiography. The use of complementary approaches may be helpful for managing patients’ anxiety before invasive procedures. This study aimed to investigate the impact of hand reflexology on patients’ anxiety before coronary angiography. 

Methods In this randomized placebo controlled clinical trial, 90 patients (45 patients in intervention and placebo groups) who were candidates for coronary angiography for the first time were recruited. Twenty minutes prior to the coronary angiography procedure, hand reflexology was given to the intervention group. The patients in the placebo group received general hand massage without any stimulation of reflexology points. Data were collected using the Spielberger anxiety inventory. 

Results The mean state anxiety level in the intervention group decreased from (49.82 ± 1.74) at baseline to (42.67 ± 1.47) after the intervention (p = 0.0001). The groups did not show any significant differences in trait anxiety comparing scores before and after the intervention. 

Conclusion Hand reflexology alleviated anxiety without any adverse effects on patients before coronary angiography. Therefore, it can be recommended as a non-pharmacological nursing intervention along with other methods to relieve patients’ anxiety. However, future studies with a larger sample size is needed to further examine the efficacy of the hand reflexology intervention on patients’ psychological aspects.