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

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances in treatment, fatigue is a common symptom experienced by many patients undergoing hemodialysis, and is associated with poor health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of foot massage with chamomile oil and almond oil on the severity of fatigue and quality of life of Hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In these four parallel groups controlled clinical trial, 120 male patients under hemodialysis were randomly assigned to foot massage groups and control (30 in each group) from June 2016 to April 2017 in Urmia, Iran. foot massage using either chamomile oil, almond oil or no oils was provided to patients undergoing hemodialysis for two months. The primary outcome measures were the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and secondary outcomes included quality of life using the Short-Form Quality of Life for Renal Patients questionnaire (KDQOL-SF). Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey’s and paired t-test in SPSS the (Version 16) at the significance level P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean FSS scores after the implementation of foot massage in all intervention groups were significantly lower than the control group (P=0.005). Mean KDQOL-SF scores after the intervention in all intervention groups increased compared to the control group, but this increase was not statistically significant (P=0.34). CONCLUSION: Foot massage appears to be effective in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Further studies are needed to confirm and extend these results. Furthermore, involvement of patients’ companions as family caregivers in massage therapy can lead to continuation of this effective intervention at home. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2016121731438N1.