Effects of Foot Massage and Supportive Communication by Hospice Volunteers on Depression, Anxiety, and Mood of Cancer Patients Who Undergo Intravenous Chemotherapy at Out-patient Department

Hur, Hea Kung; Song, Hee Young

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to investigate effects of foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers on depression, anxiety, and mood of cancer patients who are going under intravenous chemotherapy at out patient department (OPD).
METHODS
A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. Sixty-four participants were recruited from out-patients setting in a university hospital by a convenient sampling. Two trained-hospice volunteers first provided regular hospice volunteer service to 34 patients in the control group. Subsequently, foot massage and supportive communication were provided to 30 participants in the experimental group. After the intervention, all participants answered the structured questionnaire with visual analog scales on depression, anxiety, and mood including general characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two sample t-test, and paired t-test by PASW 17.
RESULTS
After the intervention, changes in negative moods, i.e. strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly different from those in control group; strain and powerlessness in the experimental group were significantly decreased by foot massage and supportive communication provided by hospice volunteers.
CONCLUSION
The current findings provide an empirical evidence of a brief and efficacious intervention for cancer patients. Further studies are warranted with larger sample size to validate the effectiveness of foot massage and supportive communication as a solid intervention for cancer patients who are undergoing intravenous chemotherapy at OPD.