Doss, J.J.K. (2014). Effectiveness of foot massage on level of pain among patients with cancer. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 4, 228–231.

To evaluate the effectiveness of foot massage on pain in patients with cancer 

This research was a nonrandomized, two-group, quasi-experimental time series design conducted among 60 patients with cancer. The experimental group received a 30-minute foot massage over a three-day period. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale for pain, which used a 0–10 range. Pain was assessed prior to the intervention and after the intervention for three days.

• N = 60  
• AGE RANGE = 39–58 years
• FEMALES: 100%
• KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of cancer within last one to three years with chronic-type pain in the second stage of cancer
• OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: All were Hindu

• SITE: Single site    
• SETTING TYPE: Inpatient    
• LOCATION: Devaki Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Madurai, India

• PHASE OF CARE: Transition phase after active treatment

Nonrandomized, two-group, quasi-experimental, time series trail

• Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain

On day 1, all patients in both groups reported severe pain. On day 2, most of the patients reported moderate pain with no measurable differences between the two groups. On day 3, the experimental group reported mild to no pain, and there was no change in the control group from day 2. The intervention group experienced a significant reduction in pain (p < 0.001).

This study shows the need to understand the purpose of foot massage techniques on pain levels in patients with cancer. The researcher assumed that with a decrease in pain, there would be an increase in patients' quality of life including stability in physiologic, psychological, sexual, vocational, and lifestyle aspects. These areas were not measured, and additional research is needed.

• Small sample (< 100)
• Baseline sample/group differences of import: Did not identify types of cancer
• Risk of bias (no blinding)
• Risk of bias (no random assignment)
• Risk of bias(sample characteristics)
• Unintended interventions or applicable interventions not described that would influence results: Did not identify any medications given for pain
• Key sample group differences that could influence results: Cancer diagnoses not identified
• Measurement/methods not well described: Unclear when intervention was done in response to pain assessment  
• Findings not generalizable
• Other limitations/explanation: The use of the NRS for pain is very subjective. It is unclear when or where the assessment was done in relation to the intervention. Although all the patients were female, the types of cancer studied were not reported. Different types of cancer can cause many different types of pain in different locations. The second stage of cancer was not defined. The types of pain medications used were not defined. The positions of those providing the intervention and their training were not identified. It is unclear if the foot massages were done consistently between patients using similar techniques.

Foot massage is an easy and cost-effective nursing intervention that could be used to help ease patient pain. This research article identified the need to continue research in this area. The patient parameters need to be more specific in future research designs.