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

백혈병 환아의 항암화학요법시 손마사지가 오심, 구토 및 불안에 미치는 효과

Purpose: To determine the effects of hand massage on nausea and vomiting, and anxiety in children with Iymphocytic 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 Iymphocytic 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.