The Effect of Foot Massage by Mother on the Severity of Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children Aged 6–12

Abstract

Various pharmacological and non‑pharmacological approaches have been proposed to control the symptoms of Attention‑Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot massage by a mother on the severity of ADHD symptoms in children. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 56 children who referred to psychiatric clinics affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran, 2018. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. In the intervention group, after giving massage therapy training to the mother, the mother massaged her child’s foot three times a week for 1 month. The data were collected using the ADHD questionnaire. Data were analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics (independent t‑test, paired t‑test, Mann‑Whitney test, and Chi‑square test). Results: Comparison of the mean score of ADHD symptoms, after the intervention, showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the dimensions of the memory and attention deficit (t47 = 3.42, p = 0.001), lack of responsibility and organization (t47 = 7.16, p < 0.001), lack of cooperation with others (t47 = 5.23, p < 0.001), and the total score of symptom severity (t47 = 3.78, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Massage therapy is affordable and low‑cost care that together with pharmacotherapy programs can reduce some symptoms of ADHD.