Comparison of the Effects of Hand Reflexology versus Acupressure on Anxiety and Vital Signs in Female Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases.

Zohre Rahmani Vasokolaei,Zahra Poshtchaman,Majideh Heravi-Karimooi,Kiarash Saatchi,Seyed Davood Tadrisi,Nahid Rejeh,Christina Sieloff,Mojtaba Vaismoradi

doi:10.3390/healthcare7010026

Abstract

Hospitalization in the cardiac care unit can increase anxiety in patients. This study aimed to compare hand reflexology versus acupressure on anxiety and vital signs in female patients with coronary artery diseases. This double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial with a pre- and post-intervention design was conducted on 135 female patients with coronary artery diseases. Female patients hospitalized in a cardiac care unit were randomly divided into three groups of hand reflexology, acupressure and placebo (n = 45 patients in each group) using blocking and a table of random numbers. Data was collected using the Spielberger anxiety inventory. Also, their vital signs were measured before, immediately after and half an hour after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in anxiety levels between the groups (p > 0.05). Also, the effects of hand reflexology and acupressure immediately and half an hour later on the reduction of anxiety and vital signs were equal (p < 0.05). Implementation of hand reflexology and acupressure can have positive effects on anxiety and vital signs in patients with coronary artery diseases. They can reduce patients’ anxiety with an equal effectiveness.

Highlights

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common chronic and life threating disease [1] and is the most important cause of mortality and disability [2]
All 135 women with CAD were eligible for inclusion in this study and were assigned into one of the three groups
Hand reflexology and acupressure had an equal effect on the reduction of anxiety in the women with CAD hospitalized in the cardiac care unit (CCU)

Summary

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common chronic and life threating disease [1] and is the most important cause of mortality and disability [2]. Most patients with CAD are hospitalized in the cardiac care unit (CCU), and often suffer from high levels of anxiety due to being connected to the monitor, requesting catheter and bedpan, and environmental voices [5,6]. Anxiety can predict harmful and dangerous cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CAD such as fatal and nonfatal cardiac events, hospital readmissions and cardiac mortalities [7]. Drugs such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants, and nonpharmacological methods including motivational interviewing, are used to reduce anxiety in patients [8,9]. The overall cost of anxiety disorders has been estimated to be $1657.52 per person or

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