Effects of Foot Reflexology and Tactile Stimulation on Consciousness and Physiological Indicators of Traumatic Patients

Background: Brain injuries are a major cause of mortality and disability. Sensory stimulation can reduce the complications of brain injuries in the patients. Objectives: To compare the effect of foot reflexology with tactile stimulation of the hand on level of consciousness and physiological indicators in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients Materials & Methods: 60 TBI patients hospitalized in the ICU of selected hospitals in Qazvin, Iran assigned to three intervention groups and one control group using block randomization. The patients were matched using the glasgow coma scale (GCS) (score of 8) and the Richmond agitation and sedation scale (RASS) (scores -2 to +2). The first intervention group received tactile stimulation of the hand from the wrist downwards, the second intervention group received foot reflexology, and the third both tactile stimulation and foot reflexology, while the controls received routine care. The Data collected were analyzed in SPSS V. 21. P