The Effect of foot reflexology massage on stress, anxiety, depression, and serum cortisol levels among patients undergoing hemodialysis: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Depression, anxiety, and stress are of the problems observed among patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Unfortunately, despite its high incidence rates, this disorder is often unknown and untreated. The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of foot reflexology massage on stress, anxiety, depression, and serum cortisol levels among patients with HD.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on ۶۰ patients with HD referring to Hazrat Abolfazl Hospital in Minab City, Iran, in ۲۰۱۸. Random sampling method was used and the patients were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups based on the referral day being even or odd. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-۲۱) was exploited to measure stress, anxiety, and depression in the sessions before and after the intervention. Serum cortisol levels were also measured between ۷:۳۰ and ۸:۰۰ a.m. on the sessions before and after the intervention. Foot reflexology massage and simple foot massage (without pressure on the standard reflexology massage points) were performed in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test in SPSS software (version ۱۸).Results: There was no significant difference between the two intervention and control groups in terms of mean scores of stress, anxiety and depression before the intervention (P >۰.۰۵)But the was difference in mean scores of stress (P < ۰.۰۰۰۰۱), anxiety (P = ۰.۰۱), depression (P < ۰.۰۰۰۰۱) and cortisol (P < ۰.۰۰۰۰۱) before and after the intervention in the intervention group significantly decreased compared to the control group.Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that foot reflexology massage can be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, the use of foot reflexology massage as a non-medical treatment can improve the mental health and quality of life (QOL) of patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

Foot reflexology massage ، stress ، anxiety ، depression ، hemodialysis