Effect of Foot Reflexology Massage on Death Anxiety and Well-being of Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is associated with death anxiety and endangers the feeling of well-being. Objectives: This study was designed to examine the impact of foot reflexology massage on well-being and death anxiety in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 66 patients undergoing CABG hospitalized in Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Sari, Iran, in 2021. The patients were assigned to control (receiving routine care) and intervention (receiving reflexology massage of the foot sole) groups by permuted-block randomization. Massage therapy was conducted after the surgery for half an hour for each foot during 3 sequential days (from the second to the fourth day after surgery) for patients of the intervention group. A sociodemographic and medical information questionnaire, Templer Death Anxiety Scale, Subjective Well-being Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were completed for the patients. The data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics, including the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Friedman's test, and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: The study results revealed a significant difference in the level of death anxiety of the intervention group (before: 52.57 +/- 3.97, second day: 50.07 +/- 3.38, 4th day: 36.61 +/- 5.25) compared to the control group (before: 51.25 +/- 3.06, second day: 49.57 +/- 3.83, fourth day: 47.71 +/- 3.01) (P < 0.001). Additionally, comparing the well-being mean of the group undergoing reflexology massage of the foot sole (before: 52.57 +/- 3.97, second day: 50.07 +/- 3.38, fourth day: 36.61 +/- 5.25) and the control group (before: 52.57 +/- 3.97, second day: 50.07 +/- 3.38, fourth day: 36.61 +/- 5.25) during the 3 days by GEE showed a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.001). Conclusions: According to the findings, reflexology foot massage reduced death anxiety and increased feeling of well-being. Due to low costs, no complications, and ease of performance, this method is recommended to reduce death anxiety and promote well-being in patients after CABG.