Aromatherapy Massage vs. Foot Reflexology on the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome in Female Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of reflexology and aromatherapy massage on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 105 female patients undergoing hemodialysis. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in a hemodialysis center with 48 beds in a high turnover hospital in an urban area of Iran. Intervention groups received reflexology (n = 35) and aromatherapy massage using lavender essential oil (n = 35) for 24 sessions, and the placebo group (n = 35) received simple foot massage. The restless legs syndrome rating scale was used to assess RLS severity in the groups before the intervention and after 4 and 8 weeks of the interventions. Results obtained by the mixed model analysis 3 * 3 (3 groups * 3 times) revealed the significant effect of time, group, and the time–group interrelationship (p = 0.001). Aromatherapy massage reduced the RLS severity, but reflexology did not appear to cause any significant reduction in it. Therefore, we suggest that aromatherapy massage be incorporated into routine care for relieving the ailment and suffering of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Effect of Local Warm Compression on Restless Leg Syndrome and Fatigue among Critical Care Nurses: A Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial

“…For example, Ajorpaz et al claimed that massage with glycerin oil and lavender oil could effectively reduce RLS in hemodialysis patients [ 31 ]. Similarly, Ghasemi et al showed that the use of aromatherapy foot massage was effective in the reduction of RLS symptoms in women undergoing hemodialysis [ 32 ]. Although the mechanism and causes of RLS are different in CCNs and hemodialysis patients, it should be borne in mind that complementary medicine interventions (e.g., local heat therapy or massage without or with aromatherapy) cause a sense of comfort and relaxation in the RLS-affected organ, eventually reducing the symptoms of this syndrome.…”