Effect of foot reflexology on chest pain and anxiety in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Background and purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology on chest pain and anxiety in patients with AMI.

Materials and methods: This study was a double blind randomized clinical trial. Stratified random sampling was carried out on 90 patients with AMI in the three groups of treatment, placebo and control. Foot reflexology was done for three consecutive days, each time for 20 min. Chest pain and anxiety were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale before, immediately and 20 min later.

Results: 20 min after the intervention, severity of chest pain in treatment group was significantly lower than control group (p < 0.001) and placebo group (p = 0.002). Severity of anxiety between groups and at different times was not significant.

Conclusions: Foot reflexology was effective in attenuating chest pain, had the most effect in 20 min after intervention, and can be used to relieve chest pain in patients with AMI.