This randomized controlled study was conducted to determine the effect of hand aromatherapy massage on non-malignant chronic pain. Total of 66 elderly individuals who had visited an algology outpatient polyclinic with a complaint of chronic non-malignant pain for at least three months were randomly assigned to the study. Participants were allocated to three groups and aromatherapy massage was done for those in the intervention group while odourless baby oil was used during the hand massage in the placebo group, those participants in the control group did not receive any type of intervention. Data collection was carried out using Individual Diagnosis Form, Visual Analogue Scale and Brief Pain Inventory. Before and after intervention, data collection forms were filled and pain level and vital signs were evaluated. Participants pain severity after aromatherapy decreased by 42.24%. When comparing vital sign pre-post procedure; systolic blood pressure value for the placebo group was significantly lower. Right after intervention, pulse rate was significantly lower in aromatherapy and placebo groups while post intervention body temperature in aromatherapy group was found to be higher and statistically significant. This study has shown that aromatherapy hand massage is effective on lowering pain level and positively influencing vital signs of elderly individuals with chronic non-malignant pain. Considering these beneficial effects, aromatherapy massage can be used as an independent nursing intervention in elderly individuals who are suffering from chronic pain.
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Visual Analogue Scale
Timeframe: 15 minutes
Brief pain inventor
Timeframe: base line
Patient information form
Timeframe: base line
Blood Pressure
Timeframe: 15 minutes
Pulse Rate
Timeframe: 15 minutes
Respiratory Rate
Timeframe: 15 minutes
Body Temperature
Timeframe: 15 minutes