Effects of Foot Massage on Severity of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

<strong>Background: </strong>Despite the advances in treatment, fatigue is a common symptom experienced by many<br /> patients undergoing hemodialysis, and is associated with poor health-related quality of life. The aim of<br /> the present study was to explore the impact of foot massage with chamomile oil and almond oil on the<br /> severity of fatigue and quality of life of Hemodialysis patients.<br /> <strong>Methods: </strong>In these four parallel groups controlled clinical trial, 120 male patients under hemodialysis<br /> were randomly assigned to foot massage groups and control (30 in each group) from June 2016 to April<br /> 2017 in Urmia, Iran. foot massage using either chamomile oil, almond oil or no oils was provided to<br /> patients undergoing hemodialysis for two months. The primary outcome measures were the Fatigue<br /> Severity Scale (FSS) and secondary outcomes included quality of life using the Short-Form Quality of<br /> Life for Renal Patients questionnaire (KDQOL-SF). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's and<br /> paired t-test in SPSS the (Version 16) at the significance level P<0.05.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>The mean FSS scores after the implementation of foot massage in all intervention groups were<br /> significantly lower than the control group (P=0.005). Mean KDQOL-SF scores after the intervention in<br /> all intervention groups increased compared to the control group, but this increase was not statistically<br /> significant (P=0.34).<br /> <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Foot massage appears to be effective in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life<br /> in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Further studies are needed to confirm and extend these results.<br /> Furthermore, involvement of patients' companions as family caregivers in massage therapy can lead<br /> to continuation of this effective intervention at home.