Effect of effleurage massage therapy on sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis: A quasi-experimental study

Fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and anxiety are prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and frequent complaints in MS patients, which reduce their quality of life. Many studies have shown that massage therapy improves MS patients' symptoms. However, the effect of effleurage massage on sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, and anxiety in patients with MS is not studied in Egypt. To examine the effect of Effleurage massage therapy on sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This research study has a quasi-experimental design, with control and intervention groups, and pre and post-tests conducted at the multiple sclerosis in-patient clinic at one Egyptian hospital between May 2019 and January 2020. Sixty adult female patients with MS were recruited, with 30 patients in the control group and 30 in the intervention group. The intervention group received Effleurage massage therapy intervention three times a week for two weeks, and each session lasted about 20 min. Patients in the control group received routine hospital care. Data were collected using the patient's demographic and medical data sheet, Insomnia Severity Index, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory before and after the intervention. Significant improvement was observed in pain, sleep, fatigue, and anxiety in the massage group (P < 0.001). Based on the current study, Effleurage massage intervention for MS patients could have possible clinical value for improving sleep disturbance, palliating pain, fatigue, and reducing anxiety. Egyptian nurses can integrate massage therapy into the routine nursing care of patients with MS. Effleurage massage could be an adjunct treatment modality for MS patients; however, more significant studies are needed.