The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Pain and Anxiety in Pregnant Women Candidates for Amniocentesis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background & aim: Most pregnant women have anxiety regarding screening tests such as amniocentesis. The current research was carried out to examine the effect of foot reflexology on pain and anxiety in pregnant women candidates for amniocentesis. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included ۶۰ pregnant women candidates for amniocentesis at a training Hospital in Mashhad , Iran. The participants included in the study were randomly allocated to intervention (N=۲۹) and control (N=۳۱) groups . The participants in the intervention group performed ۲۰ minutes of foot reflexology (۱۰ minutes on each foot), daily in the solar plexus area for ۱۰ consecutive days. The control group received no additional intervention beyond routine care. Data were collected using demographic and obstetrics questionnaires, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Visual Analogue Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS ۱۶ software with independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and covariance analysis. Results: The reflexology group had significantly lower mean state anxiety scores than the control group immediately and ۱۰ days after amniocentesis (P<۰.۰۰۱ and P<۰.۰۰۱, respectively). The mean trait anxiety scores in the foot reflexology group were significantly lower at ۱۰ days after amniocentesis (P<۰.۰۰۱). The reflexology group had significantly less pain intensity immediately after amniocentesis (P=۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Reflexology is an effective method to reduce pain and anxiety in pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Reflexology ، Amniocentesis ، Anxiety ، Pain