Background Gynecologic cancers are among the ten most common cancers among women. During brachytherapy, women can have pain and situational anxiety due to the treatment.

Methods This parallel-group randomized controlled study evaluated the effect of the hand massage practiced using baby oil, with lavender oil, on reducing operational pain and situational anxiety in women with brachytherapy. The study was completed with 36 patients. The treatment group included 18 patients, and the control group had 18. The data were collected through patient information form, visual analog scale, and state anxiety inventory. Before the brachytherapy, three sessions of hand massages, each lasting 10 minutes (5 minutes for each hand), were performed using baby oil with lavender. Data collection forms were repeated after each session. The control group received routine treatment. p<0.05 was accepted as significant.

Therefore, the impact of hand massage applied with lavender baby oil on women with gynecologic cancer having brachytherapy for three sessions on the pain and state anxiety experienced during the intervention was evaluated in this study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• verbal communication
• to be at the age of 18 and above
• to be diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and receive BT three days a week regularly
• to be aware that she has a gynecologic cancer disease and to be a volunteer to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• the patients who had metastasis, bleeding or coagulation disorder
• received complementary and integrated treatment
• had edema or lesion on hand, had a psychiatric disease
• had communication problems
• did not want to have a massage
• were under general anesthesia during the intervention