The effect of Thai massage therapy on the quality of sleep in patient with hemodialysis : A randomized controlled trial

Background: One of the frequent problems associated with this syndrome in hemodialysis patients is sleep disorders. Studies have reported conflicting results about the effects of massage on sleep quality in patient  with chronic diseases Aim:This study was conducted to assess the effect of Thai massage therapy on the sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.  Materials and Methods: For this randomized single-blinded clinical trial study, ۸۰ hemodialysis patients in Kashan Hemodialysis Center, Iran, were selected in ۲۰۲۰. Using the block randomization method, these patients were randomly assigned to intervention (n= ۴۰) and control (n= ۴۰) groups. In the intervention group, in addition to routine care for hemodialysis patients, ۶۰-minute Thai massage were performed three times a week for a month based on the participants’ convenience for morning or afternoon massage. For the control group, only routine care was done. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the quality of sleep. Data was analyzed using the independent t-test, Chi-square, and two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: The results showed that the total sleep quality score one month after the intervention was ۸.۱۵±۲.۵۲ in the intervention group and ۱۰.۰۹±۳.۰۱  in the control group. The independent t-test showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=۰.۰۰۴). Conclusion: The findings indicated that Thai massage therapy effectively improved the participants’ quality of sleep. If confirmed in other studies, we recommend this intervention for patients with hemodialysis as a safe and effective method for improving their sleep quality.

Keywords:

Hemodialysis , Sleep quality , Thai massage