Effects of Aromatherapy and Foot Reflex Massage on Stress, Depression, and Sleep Pattern of the Institutionalized Elderly

향요법 발반사마사지가 복지시설노인의 스트레스, 우울 및 수면에 미치는 효과

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aroma therapy and foot reflex massage on stress, depression, and sleep pattern of institutionalized elderly. The design of this study was non-equivalent control group pre-posttest design. The data were collected from February 24 to April 9 of 2005. Fifty-one elderly were divided into two groups, 26 institutionalized elderly for the experimental group and 25 institutionalized elderly for the control group. The experimental group underwent aromatherapy and foot reflex massage two days per week(40 minutes per session} over five weeks period. Stress(subjective stress and serum cortisol level), depression, and sleep pattern were assessed in both groups before and after intervention. Five weeks after intervention were spended, the experimental group was again assessed. Five weeks without intervention were spended, the control group was again assessed. The data were analyzed by the statistical program SPSS WIN 12. The results of this study were as follows; $\cdot$ Stress of the experimental group with the intervention was significantly lower than that of the control group. $\cdot$ Depression of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group. $\cdot$ Sleep pattern of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. In conclusion, the aroma therapy and foot reflex massage program had positive effect on Institutionalized elderly's on stress(subjective stress and serum cortisol level), depression, and sleep pattern.