Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology (대한암한의학회지)

Korean Association of Traditional Oncology (대한암한의학회)
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Effects of Reflexology Foot Massage to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Anxiety for Hospitalized Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy or Radioisotope Therapy

발반사요범이 항암제 또는 방사선요오드 치료 중인 입원 암환자들의 삶의 질 향상과 불안 우울 감소에 미치는 효능

  • Choie, Mi-Hee (Department of Alternative Medicine Graduate School of Health and Sports Daejeon University) ;
  • Jeong, In-Sook (Department of Alternative Medicine Graduate School of Health and Sports Daejeon University) ;
  • Jeong, Tae-Young (East-West Cancer Center, Dunsan Oriental hospital, Daejeon University) ;
  • Kim, Kyung-Soon (East-West Cancer Center, Dunsan Oriental hospital, Daejeon University) ;
  • Yoo, Hwa-Seung (East-West Cancer Center, Dunsan Oriental hospital, Daejeon University)
  • 최미희 (대전대학교 보건스포츠대학원) ;
  • 정인숙 (대전대학교 보건스포츠대학원) ;
  • 정태영 (대전대학교 둔산한방병원 동서암센터) ;
  • 김경순 (대전대학교 둔산한방병원 동서암센터) ;
  • 유화승 (대전대학교 둔산한방병원 동서암센터)
  • Published : 2009.12.28
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Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of reflexology foot massage (RFM) to improve quality of life and reduce anxiety for hospitalized cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This study was conducted at the East-West Cancer Center at Daejeon University; Using an waiting list and non-treatment control research design, we compared the results of control group and to that of the experimental group. The study consisted of 14 hospitalized cancer patients being admitted to the East-West Cancer Center of Daejeon University Dunsan Oriental Hospital in Korea. We measured FACT-G (Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-General) and STAI (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scale before, after and 48 hours after the intervention. The patients received 30 minute RFM 5 times a week. Results: There was an average increase on the FACT-G, Physical, total scale and decrease of STAI 1 scale in the treatment group compared with control group (P < 0.05). Anxiety in the treatment group showed significant decrease compared to control group. It suggests that RFM may alleviate cancer-related anxiety and contribute to the improvement in quality of life among cancer patients. Therefore, there was limited equivalences with experimental group. Conclusions: We concluded that RFM can be considered a supportive treatment used in combination with chemotherapy.

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