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

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: Themean FSS scores after the implementation of footmassage 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.