The Effects of Foot Massage on Anxiety and Sleep Satisfaction Response in Preoperative Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery

발마사지가 복부수술 전 환자의 불안과 수면만족도에 미치는 효과

Purpose: This study utilized a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design to test the effects of foot massage on anxiety and sleep satisfaction response in preoperative patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Method: There were 40 subjects in the study (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). The experimental group received foot massage once a day for 2 days before their operation. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including mean, percentage, Chi-square, and t-test. Results: There were significant differences between experimental group and control group in the level of the state anxiety, pulse rate, and sleep satisfaction. Conclusions: Foot massage was effective in reducing anxiety and improving sleep satisfaction in abdominal surgical patients before their operation. Thus, foot massage may be used as an independent nursing intervention. This intervention can be performed anywhere, requires no special equipment, is noninvasive, and does not interfere with patients' privacy.