Is Hand Massage with the Preferred Aroma Oil better than Lavender on Stress and Sleep for Long-term Care Facility Residents?

Abstract

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.