Comparison of aloe vera gel dressing with conventional dressing on pressure ulcer pain reduction: a clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Aloe Vera has a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and its use effectively controls pain. This study aimed to determine the effect of Aloe Vera gel versus saline on pain relief of pressure ulcers. Methods This study is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in Valiasr Hospital in Arak, Markazi Province, in the center of Iran from May 2020 to April 2022. Using the available sampling method, 95 patients with pressure ulcers were assessed for eligibility, 64 patients were selected, 33 patients were placed in the experimental and 34 patients in control. For the experimental group, the ulcers were first cleaned with normal saline to remove the slough and then the already prepared Aloe Vera gel was evenly applied. For control groups, the ulcers were first washed with normal saline to remove off the slough and then covered with a sterile cotton gage, and the wound was tightly bandaged with a cotton roll to keep the “daily dressing” in place. A visual pain scale was used to assess the patient’s pain level. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and greenhouse tests were used. The significance level was 0.05. Results The results showed that the average pain score in both groups had a downward trend; that is, both dressings effectively reduced pressure ulcer pain (P < 0.001). The greenhouse test results showed that the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion The results showed the effect of Aloe Vera gel in reducing pressure ulcer pain. Dressing with Aloe Vera gel is preferable to reducing pain during dressing changes in patients with pressure ulcers. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20180715040478N2, 2021-08-17.