An experimental study to assess the effectiveness of warm-water footbath on fatigue and insomnia among cancer patients receiving platinum based concurrent chemotherapy at GGSMC&H, Faridkot, Punjab

Fatigue and insomnia are nearly universal symptom affecting 50% to 70% of cancer patients and are most distressful treatment related side effects. Ignoring this fatigue and insomnia can contribute to worsening overall health of patients and slowed recovery process.

Aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of warm-water footbath on fatigue and insomnia among cancer patients receiving platinum based Concurrent chemotherapy.

Experimental approach with two group pre and post test design was used. Conceptual framework for the study was adopted from Ludwig Von Bertalanffy (1968) General System Model. Through consecutive sampling with random assignment subjects were selected. Subjects in experimental group had received warm-water footbath twice a day. The standardized scales BFI and VSH sleep were used to assess the level of fatigue and insomnia.

The result revealed that there was significant reduction in fatigue and sleep score from the 1st day of intervention in experimental group. The independent t test value was found to be statistically significant at p value <0.05 for fatigue and insomnia score in experimental group.

Warm-water footbath is non invasive, non pharmaceutical and effective method to reduce fatigue and insomnia among cancer patients receiving platinum based CCT.

Warm-water footbath should be given to patients to manage fatigue and insomnia among cancer patients. More nurses should be allocated in oncology ward for providing warm-water footbath.