Effect of Foot Massage on Physiological Indicators, Fatigue, and Pain among Children undergoing Chemotherapy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt, and Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing College of Applied Medical Sciences Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

2 Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Sohag University

3 Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Fayoum University

4 Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, PortSaid University

5 Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Foot massage appears to be effective, affordable, adaptable, and simple to use. Foot
massage appears to be effective in reducing pain, fatigue, improving physiological indicators and
sleep patterns among children undergoing chemotherapy. Aim: To determine the effect of foot
massage on physiological indicators, fatigue, and pain among children undergoing chemotherapy.
Subjects and Methods: Design: A quasi-experimental design was used to conduct this study. Setting:
The study was conducted at Oncology Institution in Sohag City and Pediatric Oncology Department
at Sohag University Hospital. Subject: A purposive sampling technique was used to choose a
sample of 100 children undergoing chemotherapy who were assigned into two groups, with 50
children undergoing chemotherapy in each group (the intervention and control groups). Tools:
Three tools were used for data collection (I) a structured interview questionnaire, (II) a fatigue
assessment scale, and (III) an OUCHER pain measurement tool. Results: The current study
revealed that the majority of children in the intervention group experienced mild pain with (p =
0.002) and improving physiological indicators [blood pressure (p = 0.002) and heart rate (p = 0.003).
Additionally, there were highly statistically significant differences regarding the scores of fatigues
and pain in the intervention group as compared to the control group pain with (P= <0.05).
Conclusion: Foot massage was effective in improving physiological indicators and reducing fatigue
levels and pain among children undergoing chemotherapy. Recommendations: Foot reflexology
could be used as a complementary treatment along with conventional therapies among children
undergoing chemotherapy as a simple and applicable strategy to improve physiological indicators
and reduce fatigue and pain levels.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Health Care
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2022
Pages 26-39

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