Improving Sleep Quality in Older Adults: Foot Reflexology or Warm Footbath? A Single-Blind, 6-Week Intervention, Two Group, Randomized Comparative Study

Abstract

The current study aimed to compare the effects of foot reflexology and warm foot-bath on improving sleep quality in older adults. Participants were randomized to the foot reflexology group ( n = 50) or warm footbath group ( n = 50). Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Foot reflexology was applied 30 minutes twice per week for 6 weeks. Warm foot-bath was applied 1 hour before bedtime every evening for 6 weeks. Comparison of mean total scores from the PSQI before and after reflexology indicated that mean postintervention total scores decreased significantly compared to preintervention scores ( p < 0.05). Comparison of PSQI mean total scores before and after warm footbath indicated that mean postintervention total scores decreased significantly compared to preintervention scores ( p < 0.05). Comparison of PSQI mean scores of the reflexology and warm footbath groups showed no significant difference between groups in terms of the variance in mean scores ( p > 0.05). According to current findings, both interventions improved sleep quality in older adults. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48 (3), 17–22.]