Effect of Warm Foot Bath on Sleep Quality and Comfort Level of the Elderly: Randomized Controlled Study

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a warm foot bath on sleep quality and comfort levels in elderly individuals with sleep problems.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted between December 2016 and May 2017 with 60 individuals who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Individual Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the General Comfort Questionnaire, and the Numerical Rating Scale. Individuals in the experimental group received a warm foot bath one hour before bedtime for six weeks, while those in the control group did not receive any intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics software.

The mean post-test scores for subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbance subcomponents of the PSQI, as well as the total post-test scores of the PSQI in the experimental group, were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group (p=0.001). Additionally, the post-test mean scores of individuals in the experimental group in the physical comfort dimension and relief level of the General Comfort Questionnaire were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group (p=0.006 and p=0.019, respectively).

A warm foot bath is an effective non-pharmacological nursing intervention for improving sleep quality and enhancing the physical comfort and relief levels in elderly individuals with sleep problems.