The effect of hand and foot massage on fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hand massage and foot massage on fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This randomized, controlled and quasi-experimental study was conducted between October 19, 2018 and February 11, 2019 with patients receiving hemodialysis therapy in the dialysis unit of a public hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using a Patient Identification Form and the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue. The study was carried out with 82 patients in three groups: a hand massage group (n = 27), a foot massage group (n = 27) and a control group (n = 28). The patients in the control group were not administered any treatments except for standard nursing interventions in the hemodialysis unit. Results: In between-groups comparison the hand and foot massage groups' mean fatigue score decreased after the application compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Hand and foot massage were found to reduce fatigue in patients receiving hemodialysis.