The Effect of Aromatic Oil-based Effleurage Massage on Radiotherapy-Induced Fatigue in Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Background & Aim: The incidence of cancer as one of the non-communicable, chronic, and wide-spread diseases is increasing day by day. About 60% of cancer patients undergo radiotherapy during their treatment, one of the disabling complications of which is fatigue.Due to the low impact of existing drugs for relieving fatigue and the many complications associated with drug therapy, complementary and alternative therapies such as aromatherapy massage can be used to reduce fatigue. Materials & Methods: this quasi- experimental research with control group was conducted at Firoozgar Hospital in Tehran. 70 patients with cancer, who had undergone radiotherapy, were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were divided into 2 groups: Massage Aromatherapy (35 persons) and control group (35 persons). In the intervention group, 3 sessions /times (every other day in about 30 minutes) of Effleurage Massage with the aromatic oil on the back area was performed and in the control group, routine action was taken. The data were collected using a multidimensional fatigue questionnaire before and immediately after the end of the intervention, and the obtained results were analyzed by Paired T-tests, Fisher’s exact, and Chi-square tests and using SPSS software version 16. Results: Fatigue score in both groups was not significantly different before intervention (P value > 0.05); while Fatigue score in both groups was significantly different after intervention (P value < 0.05) which indicated a decrease in fatigue in the intervention group. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the Aromatic Oil-based Effleurage Massage has a positive effect on the reduction of radiation-induced fatigue in cancer patients. Using this method, along with common treatments, can lead to relief of fatigue caused by treatment.

Keywords

• effleurage massage
• fatigue
• radiotherapy
• cancer