Effects of the Application of a Hot Compress to the Posterior Region of the Neck on Physiological Indices, Subjective Sleep and Feelings of Pleasure among Inpatients

Abstract

　The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the application of a hot compress to the posterior region of the neck (PRN) on physiological indices, subjective sleep and feelings of pleasure in inpatients.
　Data were collected using a pretest-posttest design using subjects as their own control. In a convenience sample of six hospitalized women (mean age, 61.8 ± 22.2 years), a 40 ℃ hot towel was applied to the PRN for ten minutes at bedtime for three days.
　Subjective data was obtained using the Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi sleep inventory (OSA), the pleasure-displeasure and sleepiness scale and non-structured interviews about comfort level. Physiological data included palm surface skin temperature, salivary amylase and tympanic temperature. Intragroup comparisons were performed using paired t-tests.
　The results indicate that palm surface skin temperature significantly increased during application of the compress (p=0.039). However, no significant difference in tympanic temperature was observed. Patients reported feeling comfortable and warm. Feelings of pleasure after the application of the hot compresses included “restful pleasure” and “active pleasure” . During “restful pleasure” , salivary amylase was found to be decreased. In contrast, during “active pleasure” , salivary amylase was increased. The total OSA score and the fatigue recovery score on the OSA were both significantly higher on the last day (day three) of the intervention than at baseline (p=0.011).
　These data suggests that the application of a hot compress to the PRN promotes sleep by elevating peripheral skin temperature inducing feelings of pleasure.