The Effects of Aroma Foot Baths on Stress and Sleep in Terminal Cancer Patients
10.14475/jhpc.2021.24.2.109
- Author:
Bok Soon KIM
1
;
Sun Hwa CHAE
;
In Cheol HWANG
Author Information
1. Departments of Nursing, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
2021;24(2):109-115
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study aimed to investigate the effects of aroma foot baths on stress and sleep in terminally ill cancer patients.
Methods:We performed a non-randomized interventioncontrol study with 30 terminal cancer patients who were admitted to a palliative care unit.Participants responded to questionnaires on stress and sleep before and after a 5-day interval. The intervention group received a daily aroma foot bath for 5 days. We performed multivariate regression analysis to examine the changes in outcomes on stress and sleep for the intervention group compared to the control group.
Results:The differences in baseline characteristics between groups, excluding subjective economic status and general weakness, did not show statistical significance. In contrast to the control group, the intervention group showed a statistically significant change in physical stress and psychological stress levels, but significant changes were not observed in quality of sleep. Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in physical stress (P=0.068) and psychological stress (P=0.021).
Conclusion:Aroma foot baths are effective for reducing stress in patients hospitalized with terminal cancer.
