Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2013 Jun;16(1):9-17.

Effects of Aromatherapy and Foot Reflex Massage on Emotion, Sleep Disturbance, and Wandering Behavior in Older Adults with Dementia

• Lee S

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy and foot reflex massage on emotion, sleep disturbance and wandering behavior in older adults with dementia.
METHODS
This is a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group. A total of 39 participants were divided into two groups. Aromatherapy and foot reflex massage was administrated to experimental group (N=19). There was no treatment for the control group (N=20). Data were analyzed using the SPSS/Win 18.0 program.
RESULTS
Experimental group showed significant differences in emotion, sleep disturbance and wandering behavior in comparison to the control group.
CONCLUSION
The results showed that aromatherapy and foot reflex massage program was effective on emotion, sleep and decreasing a wandering behavior in older adults with dementia. This research suggests that aromatherapy and foot reflex massage could be recommended as a nursing intervention for enhancing quality of life in older adults with dementia.

Keyword

Aromatherapy; Massage; Emotions; Sleep; Wandering behavior

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aromatherapy
Dementia
Foot
Humans
Massage
Quality of Life
Reflex
Wandering Behavior