Progressive muscle relaxation and hand massage for anxiety during haemodialysis

Syahruramdhani Syahruramdhani (Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta) ROR
Aisyah Az Zahra (Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta) ROR
Soni Budiyono
DOI: 10.56922/msc.v6i6.5 Published: 2026-10-27 pp. 166-170
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Background: Maintenance hemodialysis can be accompanied by psychological distress. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and hand massage are practical non-pharmacological approaches that may support comfort during dialysis.

Purpose: To describe pretest-to-posttest changes in anxiety among two hemodialysis patients receiving combined PMR and hand massage.

Method: This descriptive two-patient case study was conducted in a hemodialysis unit. Each participant received four sessions over two weeks during dialysis, consisting of 15 minutes of PMR and 10 minutes of hand massage of the non-fistula arm. Anxiety was assessed before the first and after the fourth session using the Indonesian Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Findings were analyzed descriptively.

Results: GAD-7 scores decreased from 14 to 4 in Patient 1 and from 17 to 5 in Patient 2. The mean score declined from 15.50 ± 2.12 to 4.50 ± 0.71, a mean reduction of 11.00 points. Both patients moved to a lower anxiety severity category.

Conclusion: Anxiety scores were lower after combined PMR and hand massage in these two cases. Without a control group or follow-up, these observations cannot establish treatment efficacy or generalisability.

Progressive muscle relaxation and hand massage for anxiety during haemodialysis. (2026). Journal of Medical Surgical Concerns, 6(6), 166-170. https://doi.org/10.56922/msc.v6i6.5
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