The Effect of Lavender cream with or without Footbath on Sleep Quality and Anxiety among Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of Lavender cream with or without footbath on sleep quality and anxiety among pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial Background: Sleep and Psychological disorders are common complaints in pregnancy and are associated with maternal and neonatal morbidities. General using of Chemical drugs haven’t been recommend for treating this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lavender cream and foot-bath on sleep quality and anxiety (primary outcome), stress, depression and fatigue, pregnancy length and newborn weight (secondary outcomes) among pregnant women. Method: In this double blind randomized clinical trial, 141 women at 25 to 28 weeks gestation were assigned into three groups (47 at each group) by block randomization; receiving Lavender cream with foot-bath, only Lavender cream, or placebo, 20 mg every night for two months. Sleep quality, depression, anxiety and stress were assessed respectively by PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, Stress-21) at baseline, and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention and fatigue was assessed by using of MAF (Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue) at baseline and 6 weeks. Kruskal-Wallis and General linear model were used for data analysis. Results: There were three losses to follow-up at the 4th and one more at the 8th week. The total score of sleep quality in foot-bath and Lavender cream group at 4 weeks after intervention (adjusted difference: -3/1, 95% confidence interval: -4.3 to -1.8) and at 8 Weeks after the intervention (-2.9, -4.5 to -1.4) and in and Lavender cream group at 4 weeks after intervention (-3.5, -4.7 to -1.6) and at 8 Weeks after the intervention (-3.1, -4.7 to -1.6) was significantly lower compared with the control group (P<0.001). In both foot-bath and Lavender and only Lavender groups at the 8th week, scores of anxiety (-1.4, -2.6 to -0.1; -1.7,-2.9 to -0.4), stress (-3.1, -4.7 to -1.5; -2.7, -4.3 to -1.1) and depression (-3.2, -4.6 to -1.9;-2.4, -3.7 to -1.0) were significantly lower than those in the placebo group. At the 4th week, only score of anxiety in the lavender group (-2.3, -3.9 to -0.7) and stress in the both intervention groups (-2.3, -4.1 to -0.5; -1.9, -3.7 to -0.1) were significantly less than those in the placebo group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two experimental groups in terms of outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of fatigue before and after intervention despite of decreasing in score. Also there were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in terms of pregnancy length and newborn weight. Conclusion: Lavender cream with foot-bath or alone can be used for improving sleep quality and reducing their stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant women.