PURPOSE
This study aimed to compare the effects of hand massage with the preferred aroma oil to those of hand massage with lavender oil on stress and sleep in residents at a long-term care facility.
METHODS
A group randomized controlled design was used. Of the 37 participants, 19 were assigned to the experimental group(hand massage with the preferred aroma oil) and 18 to the control group(hand massage with lavender oil). Data collection was performed from Nov. 26 2016 to Jan. 27 2017. Hand massage was offered for 5 minutes each side 3 times a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire and sleep was measured using the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale.
RESULTS
Subjects in the experimental group showed significantly lower stress levels (physical stress, t=−2.10, p=.048; psychological stress, t=−4.41, p<.001) and sleep (t=3.37, p=.002) than those in the control group.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that aromatherapy with hand massage should consider client aroma preference for elderly at long-term care facilities in the future.

Citations

• Effects of Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Hye-Ja Gu, Oi-Sun Lee
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3101.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Lavender on Sleep Quality in Individuals Without Insomnia
  Tzu-Ying Chen, Akiko Hiyama, Masumi Muramatsu, Atsuko Hinotsu
  Holistic Nursing Practice.2022; 36(4): 223.     CrossRef
• The effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  Tina Ghavami, Mohsen Kazeminia, Fatemeh Rajati
  Complementary Therapies in Medicine.2022; 68: 102832.     CrossRef
• The effect of aromatherapy hand massage on distress and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial
  Dilek Efe Arslan, Nazan Kılıç Akça
  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.2020; 39: 101136.     CrossRef