The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of foot reflexology on physiological parameters and
mechanical ventilation weaning time in patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This was a double blind
three-group randomized controlled trial. Totally, 96 patients were recruited and randomly allocated to
the experimental, placebo, and the control groups. Study groups respectively received foot reflexology,
simple surface touching, and the routine care of the study setting. Physiological parameters (pulse rate,
respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, percutaneous oxygen
saturation) and weaning time were measured. The study groups did not differ significantly in terms of
physiological parameters (P value > 0.05). However, the length of weaning time in the experimental
group was significantly shorter than the placebo and the control groups (P value < 0.05). The study
findings demonstrated the efficiency of foot reflexology in shortening the length of weaning time.