Author/Authors :
Salehi, Baghiatallah Nursing and Midwifery School - Qazvin Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran , Azimian, Jalil Department of Critical Care Nursing - Nursing and Midwifery Faculty - Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran , Yekefallah, Leili Department of Critical Care Nursing - Nursing and Midwifery Faculty - Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran , Mafiv, Maryam Nursing and Midwifery Faculty - Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Brain injuries are a major cause of mortality and disability. Sensory stimulation can
reduce the complications of brain injuries in the patients.
Objectives: To compare the effect of foot reflexology with tactile stimulation of the hand on level of
consciousness and physiological indicators in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients
Materials & Methods: 60 TBI patients hospitalized in the ICU of selected hospitals in Qazvin, Iran
assigned to three intervention groups and one control group using block randomization. The patients
were matched using the glasgow coma scale (GCS) (score of 8) and the Richmond agitation and
sedation scale (RASS) (scores -2 to +2). The first intervention group received tactile stimulation of
the hand from the wrist downwards, the second intervention group received foot reflexology, and
the third both tactile stimulation and foot reflexology, while the controls received routine care. The
Data collected were analyzed in SPSS V. 21. P<0.05 was set as the level of statistical significance.
Results: The Mean±SD level of consciousness was the highest in the foot reflexology
group(9.38±3.3) compared to that in the group of tactile stimulation of the hand (9.03±2.18),
the group receiving both treatments (7.96±1.8) and the control group (6.92±3.3) (P<0.001). The
findings also revealed reductions in the heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure
and increases in peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (O2 sat) and level of consciousness in
the TBI of the foot reflexology group.
Conclusion: Foot reflexology can decrease the heart rate, respiratory rate and systolic blood
pressure, and increase O2 sat in TBI patients and increase the level of consciousness.
