Effects of Aroma Hand Massage on the Stress Response and Sleep of Elderly Inpatients

Lee, Ji Eun; Lee, Young Whee; Kim, Hwasoon

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to examine the effects of aroma hand massage on stress response and sleep in hospitalized elderly patients.
METHODS
A non-equivalent pre-and post-test design was used. Sixty-six hospitalized patients were recruited using a convenience sampling method and assigned to the experimental (n=34) or the control group (n=32). For the experiment, bergamot, lavender, and roman camomile oil were mixed in 2:1:1 ratio to provide aroma hand massage to both hands of each patient in the experimental group for 5 minutes per hand, for 3 days. Post-test data collection was conducted three days after completion of the hand massage.
RESULTS
The experimental group had significantly lower stress score (t=-2.648, p=.010, and anxiety scores (t=-4.166, p=.000), and higher sleep measurement scores (t=2.328, p=.023) than those in the control group.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that short-term application of aroma hand massage for hospitalized elderly patients has a positive effect on hospitalization stress, anxiety, and sleep. Therefore, aroma hand massage should be applied as a nursing intervention to reduce stress response and enhance sleep in elderly hospitalized patients.