Background: Pain and anxiety are among the most common postoperative complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. These conditions can impede recovery, prolong hospitalization, and reduce patient well-being. Nurse-led foot massage represents a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological intervention that may help mitigate these challenges.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of nurse-led foot massage in reducing pain and anxiety among post-CABG patients, to compare pre- and post-intervention scores between experimental and control groups, and to explore associations with selected demographic variables.
Method: A quantitative experimental design with a pre-test–post-test control group was adopted. Sixty post-CABG patients were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Data were collected using a structured demographic and clinical proforma, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). The intervention group received a 15–20 minute nurse-led foot massage daily for three consecutive days, while the control group received routine care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square test.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain and anxiety scores following foot massage. Mean pain scores decreased from 7.47 to 5.13 (mean difference = 2.34, t = 12.48, p = 0.001), while mean anxiety scores reduced from 26.60 to 25.80 (mean difference = 0.67, t = 3.29, p = 0.001). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between groups for both pain (t = 19.56, p = 0.001) and anxiety (t = 21.68, p = 0.001). Demographic factors such as age, education, and marital status showed some associations with outcomes, though most variables were not significant.
Conclusion: Nurse-led foot massage is an effective, non-drug intervention for reducing postoperative pain and anxiety in CABG patients. Integrating this practice into routine nursing care may enhance patient comfort and promote recovery during the postoperative period.
Nurse-led interventionfoot massagepainanxietycoronary artery bypass grafting.
Background: Pain and anxiety are among the most common postoperative complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. These conditions can impede recovery, prolong hospitalization, and reduce patient well-being. Nurse-led foot massage represents a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological intervention that may help mitigate these challenges.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of nurse-led foot massage in reducing pain and anxiety among post-CABG patients, to compare pre- and post-intervention scores between experimental and control groups, and to explore associations with selected demographic variables.
Method: A quantitative experimental design with a pre-test–post-test control group was adopted. Sixty post-CABG patients were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Data were collected using a structured demographic and clinical proforma, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). The intervention group received a 15–20 minute nurse-led foot massage daily for three consecutive days, while the control group received routine care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including paired t-test, independent t-test, and chi-square test.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in pain and anxiety scores following foot massage. Mean pain scores decreased from 7.47 to 5.13 (mean difference = 2.34, t = 12.48, p = 0.001), while mean anxiety scores reduced from 26.60 to 25.80 (mean difference = 0.67, t = 3.29, p = 0.001). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Post-test comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between groups for both pain (t = 19.56, p = 0.001) and anxiety (t = 21.68, p = 0.001). Demographic factors such as age, education, and marital status showed some associations with outcomes, though most variables were not significant.
Conclusion: Nurse-led foot massage is an effective, non-drug intervention for reducing postoperative pain and anxiety in CABG patients. Integrating this practice into routine nursing care may enhance patient comfort and promote recovery during the postoperative period.
Nurse-led interventionfoot massagepainanxietycoronary artery bypass grafting.