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Background & Aim: Fatigue and sleep disorders are the most common physical complaints in hemodialysis patients. It seems necessary to find effective, low-complication and cost-effective treatments to alleviate these problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of slow-stroke back massage on the level of fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized controlled trial, 82 hemodialysis patients hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti hospital in Abadan in 2018, were selected based on the inclusion criteria and were allocated to either the intervention or control group using permuted block randomization (4 blocks). The intervention group underwent massage therapy for 12 sessions. The numerical rating scale for measuring fatigue and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire were completed 14 times and three times respectively, by both groups. Data were analyzed through the SPSS software version 22 using descriptive statistical tests, independent t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The results showed that before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in demographic variables between the intervention and control groups (P>0.05). Significance of group and time interactions for fatigue score showed that the trend of changes in mean fatigue scores was different in the two groups and over the study time period (P<0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the total score of sleep quality and all sleep components except two components (mental quality of sleep and sleep disorders) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that slow-stroke back massage improves fatigue and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, it is recommended as an inexpensive, effective and uncomplicated method in hemodialysis patients.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20181119041702N1
 

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Background & Aim: Back pain is highly prevalent among operating room technologists, and conventional treatments—such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—are often associated with adverse long-term side effects. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Tuinatherapy massage with chamomile oil extract on the severity of back pain in female operating room technologists.
Methods & Materials: This double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial included 105 female operating room technologists selected via convenience sampling from several hospitals in Isfahan. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 35 individuals each: (1) Tuinatherapy massage with liquid oil supplemented with chamomile oil extract, (2) Tuinatherapy massage with liquid oil alone, and (3) a control group receiving no intervention. The Tuinatherapy massage sessions consisted of 10 sessions, each lasting 20 minutes and conducted every other day. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) both before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests.
Results: Significant reductions in pain intensity were observed in groups one and two following the intervention compared to baseline (P<0.001). The control group showed no significant change. Prior to the intervention, there were no significant differences in pain scores among the three groups (P=0.230); however, post-intervention, pain intensity in group one was significantly lower than that in groups two and three (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Tuinatherapy massage effectively reduces back pain severity among female operating room technologists. Moreover, the inclusion of chamomile oil extract enhances this therapeutic effect. As an alternative to pharmacologic treatments, Tuinatherapy massage with chamomile oil may serve as a method for alleviating back pain in this population.
Clinical trial registry: IRCT20220725055548N1