Warm foot bath

LaundryQueen
LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Here's some research on the benefits of a warm foot bath before bedtime:

The effects of warm-water footbath on relieving fatigue and insomnia of the gynecologic cancer patients on chemotherapy.

AuthorsYang HL, et al. Show all Journal
Cancer Nurs. 2010 Nov-Dec;33(6):454-60.
Affiliation
Taipei Veteran General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most patients experience fatigue during chemotherapy. Ignoring this fatigue can contribute to worsening overall health of patients and a slowed recovery process.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effectiveness of a warm-water footbath on relieving fatigue and insomnia problems in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS: This was a 2-group, longitudinal study design. Adults diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and receiving a 4-series platinum chemotherapy regimen were recruited and then followed up for 6 months. They completed fatigue and insomnia items on the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, and 14th days after each scheduled chemotherapy. Participants in the experimental group soaked their feet in 41°C to 42°C warm water for 20 minutes every evening, starting from the eve of receiving the first chemotherapy, whereas participants in the comparison group did not do so.

RESULTS: : There were 25 and 18 participants in the comparison and experimental groups, respectively, who completed the study. Participants in the experimental group reported a significant reduction in fatigue and improvement in sleep quality from the second session of chemotherapy and continued to improve during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS: A warm-water footbath intervention resulted in reduced fatigue and insomnia symptoms for gynecologic cancer patients during chemotherapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A warm-water footbath is local moist heat application. It is noninvasive and easy to apply at home. The findings provide empirical support that a warm-water footbath relieves fatigue and insomnia problems of patients undergoing chemotherapy. It can be a nonpharmaceutical method to help patients overcome fatigue and sleep problems during chemotherapy.

PMID 20562619 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20562619/

Comments

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #2
    Hi LaundryQueen
    Thank you for sharing this information. I hope it helps the women who are going through chemo and experiencing fatigue and insomnia symptoms.

    Kelly
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #3
    I will try this
    it certainly would be relaxing and I'll report back :)
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
    I LOVE SOAKING IN A HOT BATH!
    It is so relaxing for me. So my husband bought me a foot spa a few years back. Although a little cumbersome to pull out and fill up, it is sooooooo relaxaing. I can completely understand this study, as I know that a soak in a hot bath tub before bed puts me to sleep for sure. Thanks for the info!

    :)

    Monika
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #5
    mopar said:

    I LOVE SOAKING IN A HOT BATH!
    It is so relaxing for me. So my husband bought me a foot spa a few years back. Although a little cumbersome to pull out and fill up, it is sooooooo relaxaing. I can completely understand this study, as I know that a soak in a hot bath tub before bed puts me to sleep for sure. Thanks for the info!

    :)

    Monika

    Foot bath
    Add a foot massage to that & I'll probably sleep like a baby! Thanks for sharing.
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #6
    carolenk said:

    Foot bath
    Add a foot massage to that & I'll probably sleep like a baby! Thanks for sharing.

    great info
    I am going to try this. Will it help with neuropathy to..can't hurt...val
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #7
    carolenk said:

    Foot bath
    Add a foot massage to that & I'll probably sleep like a baby! Thanks for sharing.

    This sounds great
    It would be a great thing for women even if they are done with chemo!

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