Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure, Headache and Fatigue among Hypertensive Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karad

Ajay Jyotiram Kawar

Abstract: Background: As per the WHO statistics (2019) an estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, most (two-thirds) living in low and middle income countries. In 2015, 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women had hypertension. Fewer than 1 in 5 people with hypertension have the problem under control. Hypertension is a major cause of premature death worldwide. One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to reduce the prevalence of hypertension by 25% by 2025. Problem Statement: Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure, Headache and Fatigue among Hypertensive Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karad" Objectives: 1) To determine effectiveness of foot reflexology on blood pressure 2) To determine effectiveness of foot reflexology on headache 3) To determine effectiveness of foot reflexology on fatigue. Methods: A quantitative approach was used to conduct among 60 patients which were selected by simple random sampling technique. 30 samples were allotted in Experimental group and 30 in control group at Medicine ward and ICU in Krishna Hospital, karad. The experimental group received Foot Reflexology Once a day for Five Days and each session lasted for 20 minutes where control group followed hospital routine management. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Pretest the mean and SD of SBP was 164±16.30 in the experimental group and 164.87±16.97 in the control group. Pretest the mean and SD of DBP was 100.73±6.46 in the experimental group and 101.53±7.68 in the control group. Among the Experimental group in the pretest, the Mean and SD of SBP was 164±16.30 and DBP was 100.73±6.46. In posttest, the Mean and SD of SBP was 155.47±15.96 and that of 101.53±7.68. The test of Significance was calculated using paired "t" test. The calculated "t" value for SBP was 2.116(P=0.0430). And that of DBP was 2.305(p=0.285) were greater than the table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing the high blood pressure among the patients with hypertension. The Mean post-test value of SBP was 155.47±15.96 in the experimental group and 154.2±10.35 in the control group. The Mean post-test value of DBP was 96.33±8.26 in the experimental group and 92.67±5.10 in the control group. The calculated paired "t" value for SBP is 2.305 in the experimental group. And DBP was 5.972in the control group. These values were greater than the table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in controlling the Blood Pressure among the patients with Hypertension. Among the experimental group, in pre-test, the Mean and SD of Headache was 4.67±1.97 and in the post-test the mean and SD of Headache was 2.27±2.13. The test of significance was calculated using paired "t" test. The calculated "t" value for Headache was 4.079(P=0.003) were greater than table value. It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing Headache among hypertensive patients. Among the experimental group, in the pre-test, the Mean and SD of fatigue was 28.77±5.41 and in post-test the Mean and SD of Fatigue was 27.7±6.79. The test of significance was calculated using paired "t" test. The calculated "t" value is 4.013(p=0.004). It showed that Foot Reflexology was effective in reducing the level of fatigue among Hypertensive patients. Conclusion: Reflexology helps overall circulation in the body and it helps to reduce the blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the conditions purported to be improved by complementary therapies such as Foot Reflexology. The investigator conducted study to determine the effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood pressure, Headache and Fatigue in Hypertensive patients in tertiary care hospital, karad.

Keywords: Foot Reflexology, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Headache. Fatigue

How to Cite?: Ajay Jyotiram Kawar, "Effectiveness of Foot Reflexology on Blood Pressure, Headache and Fatigue among Hypertensive Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karad", Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 429-435, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26305153614, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26305153614

Download Citation: APA | MLA | BibTeX | EndNote | RefMan