Park, R., & Park, C. (2015). Comparison of foot bathing and foot massage in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Cancer Nursing, 38, 239–247.
To assess the effects of foot bathing and foot massage for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Patients receiving taxane- or platinum-based chemotherapy were alternately assigned to receive foot baths or foot massage. Both interventions were performed for 30 minutes three times every other day during the patients' hospital stay and five additional times in the home. When at home, phone calls were made to encourage compliance with the intervention. Primary caregivers were instructed in procedures. Study assessments were conducted after the first and eighth treatments. A water temperature of 40 degrees centigrade was used for foot baths.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Two-group, prospective trial
Foot skin temperature increased about 2 degrees in patients receiving the foot baths and increased less than 1 degree in those receiving foot massage (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in grade of sensory neurotoxicity. Those receiving the foot bath reported improved emotional and functional well-being (p < 0.02).
Neither foot baths nor foot massage resulted in improvement in sensory neurotoxicity scores. Those receiving foot baths had increased skin temperature immediately after the intervention and reported improved well-being.
Foot baths and foot massage did not demonstrate results in improvement in sensory symptoms in this study. Patients may experience an improved sense of well-being with foot baths.