Effect of back massage on chemotherapy-related fatigue and anxiety in cancer patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of back massage on chemotherapy-related fatigue and anxiety in cancer patients. Methods A total of 94 patients with pathology diagnosis of cancer from October 2013 to July 2014 were selected and divided into experimental group and control group on average by random number table. The control group had been given routine care while the patients in experimental groupreceived back message and routine care at the same time. In the first day of third circle chemotherapy, we compared fatigue score of Fatigue Self-assessment Scale (FSAS)and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) between two groups, and recorded and analyzed the side effects such as nausea, vomiting and heart failure. Results The incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group was less than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05)]. After intervention, the scores of FSAS and SAS in experimental group were (35.2±4.7), (41.8±4.6), lower than the control group [(45.3±5.8), (59.4±7.1)], the differences were statistically significant (t=6.267, 9.558; respectively; P<0.01). Fatigue and anxiety in the experimental group of patients after intervention decreased, while anxiety scores in the control group increased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The back massage treatments should be popularized due to reducing the incidence of adverse reactions, fatigue and anxiety, and increase comfort. Key words: Chemotherapy; Anxiety; Fatigue; Cancer patient; Back message