Abstract

Introduction: Cataract means optic lens opacity and one of the major causes of vision loss in the elderly in all societies. Currently, cataract surgery is the only treatment that is an invasive and stressful method. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology massage on the anxiety of candidates for cataract surgery. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study, which was performed on 60 patients with cataract candidate who had entered the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: foot reflexology massage and control. The anxiety level of the patients with Spilberger anxiety disorder was assessed 20 minutes before the intervention. In the intervention group, the massage was performed for 15 minutes for each patient. The control group did not receive any intervention. After intervention, the level of anxiety was measured again. SPSS software version 22 was used to analyze the data. Results: According to the results, there was a significant difference between the anxiety level of the patients in the intervention group before and after the massage (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the anxiety level of the patients before and after the intervention in the control group (p = 0.280). Also, before the intervention, the mean of anxiety score in the two groups did not show a significant difference (p = 0.690), but after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the mean score of anxiety in the two groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that foot reflexology massage is effective in reducing anxiety. Due to the easy and cost-free way of these methods, it can be used to educate them in these patients to take an effective step in reducing their anxiety and use it for other patients who are anxious for various reasons.