The effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters among candidates for bronchoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Patients who are about to undergo invasive diagnostic procedures are usually anxious and worried. High levels of anxiety can interfere with the successful implementation of procedures and threaten patient wellbeing. Foot reflexology has been shown to be effective in alleviating anxiety and stabilizing physiologic status among different patient populations. Nonetheless, there is inadequate evidence regarding the effects of the technique on patients who are candidates for bronchoscopy. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of foot reflexology on anxiety and physiological parameters among the candidates for bronchoscopy. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial on 80 candidates about to undergo a bronchoscopy. Subjects' anxiety, heart rate, respiratory rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressures, and arterial oxygen saturation were measured thrice, i.e. before foot reflexology, immediately after reflexology, and immediately before bronchoscopy. Results: Contrary to the control group, variations of anxiety, heart rate, respiratory rate, diastolic and systolic blood pressures, and arterial oxygen saturation were statistically significant in the reflexology group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Foot reflexology alleviates anxiety and improves physiological parameters among the candidates for bronchoscopy. Consequently, it may be used as a non-invasive non-pharmacological remedy for subjects who are on the waiting lists for invasive diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy.