The Effects of Massage Therapy on Sleep Quality of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Sleep disorder is one of the important problems in hemodialysis patients (HPs) that could decrease their life quality. Nowadays, increasing health level of HPs is an important issue regards the flourish statistics of these patients. Some studies have shown that massage therapy reduces back pain, obviate insomnia, make calmness and raise health in HPs due to the release of endorphins. This research was conducted to determine the effects of foot massage on nightly sleep quality of HPs. This experimental study was carried out on 80 HPs in Dialysis units of Shohada and Shahid Rahimi hospitals in Khorramabad, West of Iran during 2015. The instruments used included Pittsburg questionnaire and sleep log form. The sleep status of patients who have problems with their sleep was investigated according to the instruments before and after the intervention (foot massage). Foot massage was performed for 10 minutes during the dialysis, three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Changes in Pittsburg score showed that foot massage was effective in sleep quality of experimental groups and Freedman statistical exam showed that nightly sleep duration increased and generally with repeating the intervention, the sleep status of patients became better per week compared to the previous week (P<0.001). Concerning the results of present research, it can be concluded that foot massage has a desirable effect on sleep quality of HPs and can be executed and trained as a useful way to improve the sleep quality of patients in hemodialysis unit.

The effects of vibration and massage on severity of symptoms of restless leg syndrome and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients; a randomized cross-over clinical trial

“…The study by Burbank on the effect of vibration on the value of sleep in RLS patients found that RLS-related sleep disturbance significantly decreased after one month of vibration therapy (36). These findings are consistent with our results, while vibration therapy exerts a positive (37). Moreover, the study by Unal and Akpin, exploring the effect of back massage and plantar reflexology on fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients indicated that these methods improved sleep quality and fatigue in hemodialysis patients, with plantar reflexology being more effective than lower back and upper back massage (20).…”

Effect of Foot Reflexology Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Adults: A Meta‐Analysis and Metaregression of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Most studies yielded no data material on bias concealment. One study had insufficient data on attrition rates [ 44 ]. We found no included studies with potential bias in the domain of selective reporting.…”

“…Hedges' g of the ten studies [ 8 , 41 – 44 , 49 , 51 , 62 – 64 ] examined sleep quality following foot reflexology intervention by using different outcome measurement tools such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quailty Index; the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale; St. Mary's Hospital Sleep Questionnaire; and Richard–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire which were included in our meta-analysis. Hedges' g for the overall effect size was −1.665, and the 95% CI was −2.361 to −0.970 ( Figure 5 ).…”

Impact of hot stone massage therapy on sleep quality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial

“…on quality of sleep in patients on hemodialysis realized: foot massage therapy has a positive impact on improving sleep quality in patients on hemodialysis. [23]…”