The Effects of Hand Massage on Comfort in Women with Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Chun, Nami; Kim, Sang Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to identify the effect of hand massage on comfort in women with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS
A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for this study. Hand massage was provided to the experimental group for 5 min (2.5 min for each side) once on admission day, twice from the second day until the day before discharge, and once in the morning on discharge day.
RESULTS
Findings showed no significant differences in pre and post levels of general, physical, psycho-spiritual, social and environmental comfort. However, women's comfort levels in all domains were increased after the chemotherapy in the experimental group.
CONCLUSION
Although there were some increases in women's comfort levels on all domains after the treatment, hand massage was not proved as a statistically useful nursing intervention in comforting women with gynecologic cancer. The results suggest that hand massage could be effective if it is applied longer than it was in this study. The future implications of hand massage in patients with various cancers are discussed.