Comparing the Effect of Geranium Aromatherapy and Foot Reflexology on Fatigue and Daily Activities of Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Fatigue is the most common symptom described by patients undergoing hemodialysis. Foot reflexology and then aromatherapy, among the types of complementary medicine, are the most frequently used intervention to control fatigue in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The purpose of the present study is to compare the effect of aromatherapy with geranium essential oil and foot reflexology on Fatigue and daily activities of patients undergoing hemodialysis referred to the Hemodialysis Centers of Dezful University of Medical Sciences in 2019.

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients (30 patients in the geranium essential oil aromatherapy intervention group, 30 patients in the foot reflexology intervention group, and 30 patients in the control group). After the consent form was completed by the patient, Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale (VAFS), Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) and Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL) scale were completed for patients before the intervention and then four weeks after the intervention. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics (prevalence, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test, t test) in SPSS version 16.

There was a statistically significant difference between the pre-test and post-test PFS and NEADL scores in the foot reflexology group. After foot reflexology, the mean fatigue scores decreased significantly (P < 0.001) and the mean activities of daily living (ADL) scores increased significantly (P < 0.001). There were no changes in fatigue and ADL scores in the geranium essential oil aromatherapy and the control groups after the intervention (P > 0.05).

Foot reflexology can be used as an effective nursing intervention to reduce fatigue and increase ADLs of patients with chronic kidney failure and undergoing hemodialysis treatment.