Effects of Aroma Foot Baths and Foot Massages on Sleep of Elderly People with moderate and severe Dementia

Abstract

We investigated the effects of an intervention using aroma foot baths and foot massages on the sleep status and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) in elderly patients with moderate and severe dementia. We enrolled 12 elderly patients with moderate to severe dementia who were residing in a geriatric health care facility. The patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a non-intervention group. The intervention group received a 45-minute aroma foot bath and foot massage daily for five consecutive days. Sleep conditions during the night were monitored using a sheet-type sleep monitor, and the severity and burden of BPSD were assessed through observation. Evaluation periods consisted of five weekdays before and during the intervention period. We found a significant increase in deep sleep time in the intervention group compared to the non-intervention group. However, there was no significant improvement in BPSD. These findings suggest that aroma foot baths and foot massages increase in deep sleep time in elderly individuals with dementia.