Effect of massage therapy with lavender oil on severity of restless legs syndrome and quality of life in hemodialysis patients

Abstract Purpose This study assessed the effects of massage therapy using 5% lavender oil on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and the quality of life (QoL) of patients on hemodialysis (HD). Design and methods This is a randomized placebo‐controlled study with a pretest–posttest design. This study was conducted from January 30, 2019, to May 6, 2019, at HD centers in Turkey, and it includes 58 participants—31 study patients and 27 controls. Data were collected using patient identification form, RLS severity rating scale, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Scale (KDQOL TM ‐36) and patient follow‐up charts. As per the massage therapy protocol, the patients in the study and control groups received massage therapy with lavender oil and baby oil, respectively. Findings RLS severity significantly decreased in all follow‐up weeks in the study group and in the first, second, and third follow‐up weeks in the control group. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of KDQOL TM ‐36 subscales and total scores at the initial and final follow ‐ ups. Conclusion In HD patients, massage with lavender oil lessened the severity of RLS and improved the QoL. Accordingly, this therapy can be recommended to HD patients. Clinical relevance Massage therapy during HD sessions is easy, inexpensive, and patient‐friendly with no side effects. It is known to reduce symptoms and enable the patients to easily perform daily activities of living. Massage therapy with lavender oil is effective and can be easily applied to patients with RLS by nurses. Trial registration This study was registered under the Clinical Trials protocol registration system (NCT04630470) upon completion.