Effects of 7-Step Foot Massage Combined with Herbal Foot Soaking on Peripheral Numbness in Type 2 Diabetes Patients at Nachuak Hospital, Nachuak District, Mahasarakham Province.

Abstract

      This study aimed to study the effects of 7-step foot massage combined with herbal foot soaking on peripheral numbness in type 2 diabetes patients. This quasi-experimental research involved 50 purposively selected patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted between August 2023 and September 2024 among patients attending the Chronic Disease Clinic and the Numbness Reduction Clinic. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied for sample selection, and participants who failed to continue treatment during the study period were excluded. The intervention included a 10 minute herbal foot soak using five types of herbs Centella asiatica, Yanang, tamarind leaves, turmeric, and kaffir lime followed by a 30 minute 7-step foot massage performed by a Thai traditional medicine practitioner. Participants also received appropriate foot care advice. The sessions lasted 30 minutes once a week for six consecutive weeks. Data were recorded and evaluated before and after each session. Data collection tools included a general information form, a foot health assessment form, a monofilament test record for numbness tracking, and a satisfaction survey. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the paired t-test.

      Results: The foot health assessment classified peripheral sensation into four levels: Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Before the experiment, numbness levels in the first week were at Levels 4, 3, and 2. After the 6th week of the experiment, numbness levels decreased to Level 1 or disappeared entirely. The mean numbness score was 8.62 before the experiment and 1.96 after the experiment, showing a statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level.