Abstract

Background/Aims: Coronary angiography, which is certain and standard method to diagnose coronary artery diseases increases anxiety of patients. Anxiety may lead to symptomatic cardiac diseases including angina pectoris or acute heart failure. So, nurses play an important role in reducing patient anxiety, fear and stress.: Reflexology and massage therapy are non-invasive methods which decrease anxiety. This study aimed to determine and compare the effect of foot reflexology and massage therapy on the anxiety among patients before coronary angiography.

Materials and methods: Randomized clinical trial study was implemented on 150 patients in Turkey. Data collection was done through face-to-face interviews using two-part questionnaire: Patient Information Form, State /Trait Anxiety Scale. Foot reflexology decreased trait and state anxiety scores.

Result: The state anxiety reduction of foot reflexology was found higher than the trait anxiety reduction of reflexology. The effect of reflexology on anxiety was found higher in woman than in mans. Massage therapy decreased only the state anxiety scores. However, its increased trait anxiety scores.

Keywords: Reflexology; Massage therapy; Coronary angiography; Nursing; Anxiety