The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Time of Full Consciousness Recovery and Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Brain Tumor after Craniotomy

Monir Izadinezhad1, Zahra Rahemi2, Mohammad Ghasembandi1, Zohre Sadat1 and Neda Mirbagher Ajorpaz3*

1Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Trauma Nursing Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran
2School of Nursing, Clemson University, South Carolina, USA
3Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

^*Correspondance to: Neda Mirbagher Ajorpaz 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3562

Abstract

Background: Patients with brain tumor experience multiple complications, including impaired consciousness and delayed extubation of endotracheal tubes, after craniotomy. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of foot reflexology on the time of full consciousness recovery and weaning from mechanical ventilation in patients with brain tumor after craniotomy. Methods: This single blind clinical trial was performed on 60 craniotomy patients. The participants were assigned to the control and intervention groups using a block randomization method. Two checklists, including the time of full consciousness and withdrawal from the ventilator, were completed for the two groups after the intervention. In the intervention group, in addition to routine care for these patients, the first author performed foot reflexology for 30 min (15 min for each foot) twice a day, in the morning and evening, for a week. The control group received routine care for patients with brain tumor and craniotomy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 software. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference in terms of demographic characteristics between the two groups (p>0.05). The results indicated that the mean scores regarding the time needed for regaining full consciousness and weaning from mechanical ventilation were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that foot reflexology was effective in reducing the time needed for full consciousness recovery and weaning from mechanical ventilation in craniotomy patients.

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Cite the article

Izadinezhad M, Rahemi Z, Ghasembandi M, Sadat Z, Mirbagher Ajorpaz N. The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Time of Full Consciousness Recovery and Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Brain Tumor after Craniotomy. Clin Surg. 2022; 7: 3562.