Effects of Aromatherapy Massage on Pain, Physical Function, Sleep Disturbance and Depression in Elderly Women with Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, physical function, sleep disturbance and depression in elderly women with osteoarthritis. Method: The study design was a quasi-experiment design with a non-equivalent control group pre and post-test. The study pool included elderly female patients older than 65years old suffering from osteoarthritis. Results: Pain in the experimental group after the aromatherapy massage was significantly decreased than that in the control group. The physical disability in the experimental group after the aromatherapy massage was significantly decreased than that in the control group. The sleep disturbance in the experimental group after the aromatherapy massage was significantly decreased than that in the control group. The depression in the experimental group after the aromatherapy massage was significantly decreased than that in the control group. Conclusion: Aromatherapy may be adopted as an effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis.