The effect of hand massage on fatigue in women with cancer receiving brachytherapy: randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE

This randomized controlled study was conducted to analyze the effect of hand massage on the fatigue level of the women receiving brachytherapy.

METHODS

It was determined that 12 patients were included in each group (control and hand massage group), so 24 women with gynecologic cancer were included in the study. The application was performed on each hand for 5 min, a total of 10 min in hand massage group. Hand massage was applied before each brachytherapy (at the first, second, and third sessions, a total of three times) every other day for 1 week in the hand massage group. No intervention was performed to the control group during the study. The data were collected using the Patient Information Form and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI).

RESULTS

At the end of the brachytherapy, the fatigue severity score and impact of fatigue on activities of daily living scores of the group that applied hand massage were determined to be lower than the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It was determined that hand massage effectively controlled fatigue and the impact of fatigue on activities of daily living. Hand massage is a safe and economical method that can be performed by certified nurses.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This clinical trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06056713-09/21/2023).