| Summary: | 碩士 === 亞洲大學 === 健康產業管理學系長期照護組 === 100 === Background: Osteoarthritis is a common cause of disability in older adults, and the knee was the most commonly reported site of pain complaints. Most patients with the condition will be managed in the community. Recently aromatherapy has been gradually prevailed in healthcare system; however, more research is needed before aromatherapy becomes a widely accepted alternative remedy.
Aim: This study was aim to investigate the effects of aromatherapy to relieve the knee pain for the elders in community.
Methods: This study was carried out in three communities. A single-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy to relieve the knee pain for the elders in community. A total of 81 elders with knee pain were randomly allocated to 2 groups, 41 in experimental group and 40 in the control (placebo) group. No significant differences in demographics and health conditions between two groups were noted. For the elders in experiment group we anointed essential oil on their knee twice a week for 8 weeks. For the elders in control group, we anointed baby oil with no essential oil on their knee also twice a week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain intensity and the Western Ontario and McMaster universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index of pain, disability and joint stiffness in knee.
Results: The mean scores of VAS decreased significantly by 30 minutes after the first intervention in both groups (p <0.005) and sustained throughout every intervention. However, the amelioration of pain during activity was significantly more prominent in the experimental group comparing with that in the controls (p < 0.001). The scores in WOMAC were also reduced significantly at 1 and 2 months (p < 0.001) in both groups. Nevertheless, in first month of intervention, the scores of pain, stiffness and motor disturbance in experimental group were reduced much more remarkably as compared with placebo group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Positive effects with both groups were observed. Moreover, the beneficial long-term effects on knee pain with aromatherapy appeared to be sustained. In conclusion, aromatherapy can significantly relieve the knee pain for the elders in community.
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