A Study to assess the effectiveness of back massage on fatigue among hemodialyzed patients in selected hospitals at Kanyakumari District

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is one of the most frequent complaints of hemodialysis patients and associated with impaired health related quality of life. (Manisha Jhamp., 2008) Fatigue is a complex, multidimensional, and multifactorial phenomenon, which has been defined as ‘extreme and persistent tiredness, weakness or exhaustion mental, physical or both’. Common symptoms also include reduced motivation and physical activity, in addition to general lethargy. It may be due to lack of restorative sleep, restless leg syndrome and the overall mental status of patients (Artom et al., 2014). STATEMENT: A study to assess the effectiveness of back massage on fatigue among hemodialyzed patients in selected hospitals at Kanyakumari District. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pre-test and post-test level of fatigue among hemodialyzed patients in experimental and control group. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of back massage on level of fatigue among hemodialyzed patients in experimental and control group. 3. To associate pre- test level of fatigue among hemodialyzed patients of the control and experimental group with their selected demographic variables such as age, gender, occupation, weight, history of doing exercise, duration of illness, period of hemodialysis and combined co-morbid conditions. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: The investigator adopted quasi experimental design for the study. The sample size was 60 and was drawn through purposive sampling technique. The feasibility of the study and the refinement of the tool were assessed through pilot study. The level of fatigue was evaluated by Modified Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory. The data collection was done from 01-03-2017 to 31-03-2017 for both experimental and control group. Back massage was given only to experimental group and afterward post test was done for both groups. The data gathered were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical method. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: Among experimental group the mean pre test score was 36.13 with standard deviation of 33.59. The mean post test was 28.60 with standard deviation 27.94. The mean difference was 7.53. The obtained ‘t’ value was 7.78 where the table value was 0.000. It was significant at p < 0.05. It shows that back massage was effective in reducing the level of fatigue. Hence the research hypothesis was accepted. CONCLUSION: This study inference revealed that back massage reduces fatigue level among hemodialyzed patients