Korean J Child Health Nurs.  2005 Oct;11(4):456-464.

Effect of Hand Massage on Nausea, Vomiting and Anxiety in Childhood with Leukemia on Chemotherapy

• Han JE
• Moon YI
• Park HR

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine the effects of hand massage on nausea and vomiting, and anxiety in children with lymphocytic leukemia receiving high dose chemotherapy. METHOD: The children were assigned to an experimental group(15) or a control group(15). All of the children were diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and admitted for high dose chemotherapy at C University Medical Center in Seoul. The hand massage was performed for 10 minutes twice a day over three days. To measure the effects of hand massage, the Index of Nausea and Vomiting by Rhodes et al. and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children by Spielberger were used. The level of anxiety was measured by systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate.
RESULTS
The score for nausea and vomiting decreased in the experimental group. State anxiety for the experimental group was significantly more positive than for the control group at the 2nd measurement. There was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the two groups. The level of diastolic blood pressure in the two groups decreased significantly over time.
CONCLUSION
Hand massage could be effective in decreasing nausea and vomiting, state anxiety, pulse rate and blood pressure in children with acute leukemia receiving high dose chemotherapy.

MeSH Terms

Academic Medical Centers
Anxiety*
Blood Pressure
Child
Drug Therapy*
Hand*
Heart Rate
Humans
Leukemia*
Leukemia, Lymphoid
Massage*
Nausea*
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma
Seoul
Vomiting*
Child Health