Objective To investigate the effect of herbal foot-bath plus acupoint application on sleep quality of stomach cancer patients before surgery. Method Eighty eligible patients who were going to receive stomach cancer surgery were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 in each group. The control group was given psychological comfort plus switching off lights on time, while the observation group was additionally given herbal foot-bath plus acupoint application before the surgery. The sleep quality on the night before surgery was observed. Result There were significant differences in comparing sleep latency, night wakening, total sleep duration, total sleep quality, daily body function and total score (P<0.05). Conclusion Herbal foot-bath plus acupoint application can enhance the effective sleep duration and sleep quality of patients before stomach cancer surgery.