The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Physiological Indicators and Mechanical Ventilation Weaning Time among Open-Heart Surgery Patients

Abstract

Shortening the length of mechanical ventilation (MV) and lowering dose of sedatives among critically ill patients can decrease complications, intensive care length of stay and mortality rate. Therefore, introducing non-pharmacologic interventions such as reflexology became an issue of concern for critical care nurses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot reflexology on physiological indicators and mechanical ventilation weaning time in open-heart surgery (OHS) patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with a convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 80 patients who underwent open heart operation and admitted to cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) of Mansoura University Hospital. Random assignment was allocated to the intervention group (foot reflexology) and the control group (routine care). Data were collected using participants' physiological indicators and MV weaning time assessment tool. Results: There were statistical significant differences between the foot reflexology group and the control group concerning all physiological indicators (p < 0.05). Statistical significant differences were also noted on shortening the length of weaning time between both groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Foot reflexology is an effective method for stabilizing physiological indicators and decreasing ventilator dependence among patients undergoing OHS. Therefore, it can be introduced as an adjunct to daily care of OHS patients in ICU.

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

“…The results also showed that foot reflexology caused significant changes in the physiological indices of HR and blood pressure. The results of the present study are consistent with those of previous studies on children with leukemia [19] and adults undergoing open-heart surgery [27], those with bronchoscopy [28], and in the intensive care unit [29]. The high impact of foot reflexology can be attributed to the presence of many nerves in the foot.…”

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Physiological Stability, Weight and Fatigue among Children Undergoing Hemodialysis

“…Applying the reflexology technique causes relaxation for the nervous system and calmness effect. Massaging reflexology areas of the lung on the foot positively influence pulmonary function which in turn reduces ventilation dependence (Elsayed et al, 2019). The current study was in the same line with the findings of Polat & Ergüney, 2016;Miller, et al, 2016) who concluded that massaging the heart reflex point increases the blood supply to the heart which enables the heart to pump the oxygen-rich blood around the body and improves oxygenation.…”

Reducing Reducing Patient's Pain with Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) by Performing Foot Massage: A Systematic Review

“…However, the exact point of the massage and physiological pathways in the human body remains unclear [18]. Further studies are necessary to obtain a shred of stronger scientific evidence to support foot massage interventions and enrich knowledge in this field [19]. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the effect of foot massage on pain levels among postoperative CABG patients.…”