Background: Pain and anxiety are common issues experienced by patients after coronary angiography, often negatively impacting recovery and causing changes in vital signs.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of reflexology and classical hand massage on pain, anxiety, and vital signs in patients after coronary angiography.

Methods: It was designed as a single-blind randomized controlled trial with 70 patients who underwent coronary angiography in a hospital. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups via block randomization: reflexology hand massage (n = 35) and classical hand massage (n = 35). Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, State Anxiety Inventory, Visual Analog Scale, and Vital Signs Form. Both massages were applied to both hands for 20 min after angiography. Measurements were taken before the intervention and at 30, 60, and 120 min afterward.

Results: In the reflexology group, a significantly greater reduction was found in pain (effect size=0.926) and anxiety (effect size=0.680) compared to the classical massage group (p < .05). Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups (reflexology: 0.971; classical: 0.986), while diastolic pressure dropped significantly only in the reflexology group (effect size = -1.019). A significant reduction in pulse rate was also noted only in the reflexology group (effect size=0.985). No significant change was observed in respiratory rate; however, oxygen saturation increased significantly in the reflexology group (effect size=0.998).

Conclusions: Reflexology was more effective than classical hand massage in reducing pain, anxiety, and certain vital signs after coronary angiography.