The effect of foot massage on pregnant women with hiperemezis gravidarum on the severity of nausea, vomiting and the level of anxiety related to pregnancy

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of foot massage on pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum on the severity of nausea and vomiting and pregnancy-related anxiety. Material and Method: This randomized controlled study was carried out with pregnant women hospitalized with the diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum in the septic ward of Malatya Training Research Hospital Maternity and Children's Hospital between February 2020 - November 2020. The sample size was calculated as at least 100 (50 experiments, 50 controls) pregnant women with power analysis. A total of 104 pregnant women, 52 to the experiments and 52 to the controls, were included in the simple randomization method. Foot massage was applied to the pregnant women in the experimental group, once a day, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd days after hospitalization. Data were obtained from the pregnant women who were given the "Personal Information Form" before and after each application by using the PUQE Test and PRAQR2 measurement tools. In evaluating the data, number, percentage distribution, arithmetic mean, chi-square test, standard deviation, Cronbach's α reliability coefficient, dependent and independent groups t test, Mauchly's W test were used and ANOVA analysis were used for repeated measurements. Results: Before foot massage, it was determined that the pre-test mean scores of pregnant women in the experimental and control groups in PUQE total, PRAQR-2 total and PRAQR2 sub-dimensions were similar (p>0.05). After foot massage, it was determined that the severity of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the experiments compared to the controls (p<0.001). In addition, it was determined that the mean PRAQR2 total and sub-dimensions of pregnant women in the experimental group were lower than the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be said that the applied foot massage is an effective intervention in reducing the severity of nausea and vomiting and pregnancy-related anxiety. Key Words: Anxiety, Foot massage, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Midwifery, Nausea-Vomiting.