An aromatherapy massage intervention on sleep in the ICU: A randomized controlled feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Critically ill patients often experience sleep disturbances.
• Sleep quality is crucial for recovery in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Complex interventions like aromatherapy massage require feasibility testing before large-scale trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial on aromatherapy massage for sleep in critically ill patients.
• To assess the recruitment and data completion rates for a complex intervention study in the ICU setting.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Patients were randomized to aromatherapy massage or usual care.
• Sleep depth was measured using Bispectral Index monitoring and validated questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Thirty-four patients were recruited (17 intervention, 17 control).
• Low participant completion rates for outcome measures were observed (5 intervention, 8 control).
• A larger study was deemed unfeasible in this patient population.

Conclusions:

• Testing the feasibility of complex interventions is valuable.
• Aromatherapy massage for sleep in critically ill patients presents significant feasibility challenges.
• Further research should focus on refining methodologies for complex interventions in ICUs.