The Effect of Aromatherapy Foot Massage on Neuropathic Pain in Patients With Type2 Diabetes

Up to half of diabetic patients suffer from a complication known as diabetic neuropathy, which affects both the autonomic and peripheral nervous systems, with particular damage to the lower extremities. Diabetic neuropathy affects the peripheral sensory nerve endings of the hands and lower extremities, causing pain, numbness, burning and tingling sensations. Symptoms such as pain and burning experienced by diabetics cause a decrease in quality of life. In addition, the risk of ulceration in the feet is more than 15% and the risk of amputation is 15 times higher than non-diabetic individuals. Although diabetic neuropathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, its treatment is symptomatic.

In the presence of pain, complementary and integrative therapies such as opioid and non-opioid drugs, surgical methods, manual therapies and various mind-body practices are applied. Massage, one of these methods, is performed by manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. However, massage has the advantages of being applicable to almost every part of the body, not requiring any special equipment and not causing any serious complications. Another method, aromatherapy, uses natural plant extracts known as essential oils to improve physical, mental and emotional health. These essential oils are extracted from various parts of plants, including flowers, leaves, stems, roots and fruits. Aromatherapy oils can be inhaled as inhalers or applied to the skin through massage, baths or compresses. Physiological and pathophysiological benefits of aromatherapy oils on the nervous system have also been supported by studies.

Diabetic neuropathic pain has been associated with mental comorbidity, sleep disorders, more diabetes complications and lower quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to effectively manage pain in diabetic neuropathy and improve the quality of life of the individual. In a study examining the effects of aromatherapy massage on neuropathic pain severity and quality of life; it was found that neuropathic pain scores and quality of life scores improved significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group. In this study, it was not specified whether the reduction in neuropathic pain was the result of massage therapy or a specific essential oil in the aromatherapy mixture, since no intervention was performed in the control group. In our study; while determining the effect of aromatherapy foot massage on neuropathic pain; it was aimed to find the source of the reduction in pain.