Effect of Hand Massage on Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Pruritus in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis
Effect of Hand Massage on Chronic Kidney Disease Associated Pruritus in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: a Mixed Methods Study
University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland
54 participants
Dec 17, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus (CKD-aP) affects about 25% of Swiss hemodialysis patients, most with moderate to severe itching. It negatively impacts sleep, quality of life, and survival. This mixed-methods study will investigate the effect hand massage delivered by nurses on the itch severity, health-related quality of life and sleep compared to usual care in patients on hemodialysis. Fifty-four patients will be randomized to receive either hand massage or verbal attention over three months. Quantitative data (NRS, 5D Itch Scale, KDQOL-SFv1.2) will be collected at baseline, one, and three months. Qualitative interviews with 12 participants who received the hand massage intervention, will explore their experiences. The intervention is safe, non-invasive, and may offer valuable insights into CKD-aP management and pathogenesis.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Adults ≥18 years
- on hemodialysis ≥ three months
- able to communicate in French
- diagnosed with CKD-aP based on VAS
- signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria2
- Participants with cognitive impairment -
- participants who have been prescribed CKD-aP medications after enrollment in study.
Interventions
Hand-massage involves engagement with the patient using an enveloping contact on the whole hand and the forearm by means of rhythmic and circular movements, followed by an application of a hand cream or essential oil to the patient's forearm, wrist, palm and back of hand, and fingers using the same movements. The massage applies moderate pressure to the forearm, light gestures on the wrist and the back of the hand, and moderate pressure on the palm and fingers. It ends with a gradual slowing of the manipulations
Locations(4)
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NCT07312916