• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.375-386
• /
• 2022

Work involving standing or walking for a long time can cause swelling, pain, and fatigue in the lower extremities due to the effect of gravity on the circulation of the body. This study aimed to confirm the effects of aromatherapy essential oils, as a complementary and alternative therapy, on lower extremity edema, pain, and fatigue when applied as a foot bath or spray. The study was conducted after daytime work over two consecutive days on nurses who volunteered at the E University Hospital in D Metropolitan city between 15 August 2018 and 11 October 2018. This randomized controlled study. The foot bath group received a foot bath in 9 L of water containing 0.5 ml of essential oil blended with grapefruit and peppermint in a 1:1 ratio. The spray group received the same solution in 3% dilution in the form of a spray. Edema was assessed by measuring calf and ankle circumference, while pain and fatigue were evaluated using a numerical rating scale. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA. The calf circumference in the foot bath and spray groups significantly reduced compared to that in the control group (F = 14.053, p <.001) after the interventions. Lower extremity pain (F = 42.497, p < .001) and fatigue (F = 20.641, p < .001) also significantly reduced in the foot bath and spray groups compared to those in the control group after the interventions. Foot bath is recommended to relieve swelling and pain in the lower extremities, and aroma spray is highly recommended considering the ease of application.