the Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Menopausal Women
the Effect of Therapeutic Touch on Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Menopausal Women
This research was carried out to determine the effect of therapeutic touch on sleep quality and fatigue in menopausal women.
Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with 48 (24 in the intervention group and 24 in the control group) women who sought treatment in the gynecological outpatient clinic of a public hospital. According to the study procedure, while the intervention group received therapeutic touch, the control group received SHAM therapeutic touch for 10 minutes a day for five consecutive days. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Piper Fatigue Scale.
Results: The median post-test total sleep quality score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p=0.010). However, the mean total fatigue scores did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.917).
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that therapeutic touch was effective in improving sleep quality, but it did not affect fatigue in menopausal women.
Inclusion Criteria:
The study included women who agreed to participate in the study, lived in the city center, were at least literate, were in the natural premenopausal (irregular menstrual cycle within the last three months), perimenopausal (amenorrhea for 3-11 months or increased irregular menstruation), or postmenopausal (amenorrhea for more than 12 months) periods, were open to communication and cooperation, and could speak Turkish.
Exclusion Criteria:
The women who received hormone replacement treatment, used drugs for sleep problems and depression, were diagnosed with a medical psychiatric disease, and had sensitivity or problems about touching were excluded.