Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of foot reflexology massage on the mood of the patients after coronary bypass graft surgery.
Design: In this randomized control trial, 72 patients who underwent CABG were selected. They were randomly divided to two groups after they were matched on gender.
Interventions: The intervention group (n = 36) received foot reflexology massage in 4 consecutive sessions of 4 days, 3 to 6 days after the cardiac surgery, while the control group received a gentle foot rub with oil for one minute.
Setting: The study was done in Isfahan Chamran Hospital from December 2011 to May 2012.
Main outcome measures: The mood questionnaire (POMS ) which has been completed the day before the start of the study and intervention and then after the last day of the intervention.
Methods: data was analyzed using the Chi-Square test, independent and paired t-test.
Results: The comparison of the study results showed that foot reflexology massage decreased the mood overall rating of the patients after the surgery that means this method can improve the mood in the patients after cardiac surgery.
Conclusions: The significant improvement in the mood states in the experimental group following the foot reflexology massage supports the use of this technique for cardiac surgery patients.
