Asian J. Nursing Edu.

and Research 4(2): April- June 2014

228
www.anvpublication.org ISSN-2231-1149


RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effectiveness of Foot Massage on Level of Pain among Patients with Cancer

Jeenath Justin Doss K.
Assistant Professor, Joitiba College of Nursing, LCIT Campus, Visnagar Ta., Bhandu Po., Mehsana Dist. -384120
*Corresponding Author Email: jeenath4u@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:
The reduction of pain of patients with cancer has an important role to play in enabling effectiveness of foot massage
intervention as an independent nursing intervention. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of foot
massage on level of pain among the patients with cancer.

The research design adopted was quasi-experimental time series pre-test, post-test with control group design. The
conceptual framework for this study was based on Wiedenbachs helping art of clinical nursing theory (1964). The
study has been conducted in Devaki cancer hospital and research institute, Madurai.

Non-probability purposive sampling technique has been adopted to select the desired sample. The sample size was 60.
As an intervention of 30 minutes of foot massage was administered for experimental group. The data was collected
through Numerical Pain assessment scale which is from 0-10 range.

The collected data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. F test was used to
evaluate the effectiveness of foot massage on level of cancer pain among the patients with cancer. The obtained F
value was 50.103.The findings of the study revealed that foot massage helps in decreasing the level of pain among the
patients with cancer.

KEY WORDS: Effectiveness, Foot massage, Cancer pain, Cancer.

INTRODUCTION:
Freedom from the pain should be a basic human right
limited only by our knowledge to achieve it
Liebenskind Ifmelrach (1989)

Human Touch- is a powerful expression of care,
acceptance and emotional nourishment. Many people with
cancer wonder whether any complementary therapies can
help them. Massage and other gentle body work techniques
that focus on the positive effects of human touch are very
popular complementary therapies. Touch is essential like
food and water.





Received on 01.10.2013 Modified on 11.12.2013
Accepted on 22.12.2013 A&V Publication all right reserved
Asian J. Nur. Edu. & Research 4(2): April- June 2014; Page 228-231

People with cancer experience pain, anxiety and mood
disturbance. Conventional treatments do not always
satisfactorily relieve these symptoms and same patients may
not be able to tolerate their side effects. Therapeutic foot
massage as a cancer pain intervention appears to be safe and
effective. Patients who receive massage have less pain,
nausea and anxiety and report improved quality of life. The
use of massage in cancer care centers and hospitals is on the
rise.

Need for the Study
For all the happiness mankind can gain is not in
pleasure but in relief from pain
- John Dryden

According to US census bureau (2009) cancer in all forms
are causing about 12% of deaths throughout the world. In
the developed countries cancer is the second leading cause
of death next to cardiovascular disease and in developing
Asian J. Nursing Edu. and Research 4(2): April- June 2014


229
countries cancer ranks 3
rd
as a cause of death and accounts
for 9.5% of total death.

According to cancer institute New Delhi, India (2009),
there are approximately 2 - 2.5 million cancer cases and 8
lakhs new cases being detected each year. According to
TATA Memorial hospital, India (2009) that 60% of death
from India and China are due to cancer.

According to World Health Organization (2009)

Head and
neck/oral cancer (HNOC) is the sixth most common cancer
worldwide accounting for 4% of cancers in men and 2% of
cancers in women. In some parts of the world, including
Southern China and the Indian subcontinent, HNOC is a
major cancer problem.

In US, one patient dies from HNOC every hour. According
to American Cancer Society-Cancer Statistics, the new
cases for HNOC increased approximately 25% during the
past 5 years, where the overall new cancer cases only
increased about 5% in the same period.

According to American cancer society (SHIRLEY E.
OTTO, 1996)
40% to 80 % of patients with any type of cancer
experience pain
70 % to 90 % of patients with advanced cancer
experience moderate to severe pain (Foley)
Recent surveys shows that 40% to 50% of patients fail
to achieve adequate relief of cancer pain.
Even though getting narcotics, the cancer patients
experience pain. So the researcher selected this study to
evaluate the effectiveness of foot massage on level of pain.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:
To evaluate the effectiveness of foot massage on level of
pain among the patients with cancer.

HYPOTHESIS:
Foot massage will be effective in reducing the pain among
patients with cancer.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:
Conceptual framework for this present study was developed
on the basis of Ernestine Wiedenbachs clinical nursing
practice theory. She proposed her theory in 1964 as a
prescriptive theory of nursing. Prescriptive theory directs
action toward an explicit goal.

It consists of 3 factors. Central purpose, prescription and
realities. A nurse develops a prescription based on a central
purpose and implements it according to the realities of the
situation.

According to Wiedenbach, nursing practice consists of
identifying a patients need for help, ministering the needed
help, validating the need for help was met and coordination
of help.



Asian J. Nursing Edu. and Research 4(2): April- June 2014


230
MATERIAL AND
METHODS:






















The Schematic Representation of Research Methodology
Target population
Cancer patients with cancer pain
Accessible population
Patients with cancer pain in Devaki cancer hospital and
research institute
Sampling Technique
Non Probability purposive sampling technique
Data collection procedure
Standardized numerical pain assessment scale
Experimental Group- 30 Cancer patients with cancer pain

Control group- 30 Cancer patients with cancer pain

Pre assessment of level of pain
Foot massage intervention
Post assessment of level of pain
Pre assessment of level of pain

No Foot Massage Intervention
Post assessment of level of pain

Data Analysis
Descriptive and inferential statistics
Criterion measure
Research Approach
Quantitative approach
Research Design
Quasi experimental time series design
Level of pain
Asian J. Nursing Edu. and Research 4(2): April- June 2014


231
FINDINGS:
Among patients with cancer pain, most of them were
between 39-58 years, female sex, Hindus, had 1-3 years of
duration of illness, had chronic type of pain and were at
second stage of cancer.
Regarding the level of cancer pain in experimental and
control group most of them reported severe pain on day 1 in
both groups, on day 2 most of them reported moderate level
of pain in experimental group and there were no measurable
difference in control group, on day 3 most of them reported
mild level of pain and no pain in experimental group and in
control group where there were no greater changes.
With regard to effectiveness of foot massage on level
of cancer pain, the obtained F value for level of pain in
control group was 2.837 not at significant level and in
experimental group was 50.103 that was highly significant
at p<0.001 level.
With regard to the association between the level of
pain with their selected demographic variables and clinical
variables such as age, sex, occupation, religion, duration of
illness, type of pain, stage of cancer there were significant
association found with sex and stage of cancer and others
were non-significant.

CONCLUSION:
The main conclusion from this present study is that most of
the cancer patients with pain in experimental group had
severe and moderate level of pain in pre test and mild level
and no pain in post test I, II and III. This shows the
imperative need to understand the purpose of foot massage
technique regarding reduction of pain among the patients
with cancer and it will improve the quality of life which
includes the stability in physiological, psychological,
sexual, vocational and lifestyle aspects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
A journey is easier when we travel together.
Interdependence is certainly more valuable than
independence. This dissertation is the result of unbound,
immeasurable contribution and support from many people.
It is a pleasure that, I have an opportunity to express my
gratitude to all of them. I honestly express my sincere
thanks and gratitude to my clients and their family for their
cooperation.

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