The Effect of Warm Foot Bath and Massage on Selected Hemodynamic Parameters among Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Head trauma can cause decreased consciousness levels and reduced ability to respond
to the environment, leading to impaired cognitive, perceptual, and sensory functions in people. One
of the techniques that can help improve brain function is a warm bath. Aim of the study: the aim of
the current study is to determine the effect of warm foot bath & massage on selected hemodynamic
parameters among patients with traumatic brain injury. Research Design: Randomized clinical trial
research design was utilized in this study. Setting: the current study was carried out at the
neurological ICU in Ain Shams University Hospitals. Sample: a purposive sample according to the
inclusion criteria over three months, was randomly assigned to the study group (30) patients, and
control group (30) patients. Tools of data collection: Two tools were utilized to collect data
pertinent to the current study: tool (I): patient’s demographic and medical data sheet, tool (II): warm
foot bath & massage assessment checklist. Results: the Glasgow Coma Scale of the study group is
significantly less than the mean GCS of the control group at all times of day 1 and day 2 and also
before intervention and after 1 hour on day 3 and before intervention on day 4 and the mean of the
study group was improved at the last days than the first days, there is a significant difference within
times of each group. The mean temperature of the study group is significantly less than the mean of
the control group after 3 hours on day 4. The mean pulse of the study group is significantly higher
than the mean of the control group before intervention and after 1 hour on day 3 and before
intervention on day 4. There is a significant difference within times of each group. The mean
respiratory rate of the study group is significantly higher than the mean of the control group before
intervention and after 3 hours on day 3. There is no significant difference between mean systolic
blood pressure of the study the control groups at any time. There is no significant difference between
mean diastolic blood pressure of the study and control groups at any time. The mean of oxygen
saturation of the study group is significantly higher than the mean of the control group. Conclusion:
warm foot bath & massage can improve the GCS, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation among
patients with traumatic brain injury for the study group. Recommendations: Based upon the
findings of the study, the following are recommended: applying the warm foot bath & massage for
patients with traumatic brain injury, replication of the same study on larger probability samples at
different geographical locations for data generalization.