The Effect of Foot Massage on the Consciousness Levels in Comatose Patients With Brain Injury Hospitalized in Intensive Care Unit (Icu): A Randomised Control Trial

Introduction: Coma results from traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries. Foot massage can influence the level of consciousness in comatose patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of foot massage on the level of consciousness in comatose patients due to brain injury who were hospitalized in the ICUs of selected hospitals in Qazvin. Methods: This study was a clinical trial which was conducted on 40 patients with coma who were hospitalized in the ICUs of Shahid Rajaee and Razi hospitals in Qazvin in 2014. Patients were assigned to case and control groups, using randomize blocked allocation. Massage of both feet was performed in a Stroke manner (5 minutes for each foot) and once a day for 14 days. Then, the level of consciousness was recorded using Glasgow Coma Scale. Statistical tests (chi-square, Independent t-test, dependent t-test and Repeated Measures variance analysis) were used for analysis. Results: The results showed that there is significant difference between the mean of consciousness level before (5.80±1.58) andafter (10.6±2.41) massage in the intervention group(P=0.001). While the mean of consciousness level was (5.3±1.72)before and (6.94±3.03)after the intervention in the control group andit was not statistically significant (P=0.06). Conclusion: Foot massage could increase the level of consciousness among patients in comatose patients due to brain injury. It is recommended to use this intervention for increasing patientsconsciousness level.