Post-stroke spasticity is a common movement condition which affects around 30-80% stroke survivors who often suffered with pain, soft tissue stiffness and joint contracture, affecting patients’ posture and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effects of aromatherapy and the feasibility of conducting a cluster RCT on upper limb spasticity and psychosocial well-being on post-stroke elders in RCHEs. Our study employed a double-arm, pre- and post-test design. Study was conducted in two RCHEs in Hong Kong. 27 elders with age ≥ 65 with post-stroke upper limbs spasticity were approached and recruited from February to June 2025 and evenly put in control (n=12) and intervention groups (n=15). 10-minute massage was given on subjects’ upper limbs twice per week by an IFPA aromatherapist using massage oil with a mixture of sweet marjoram essential oil and fractionated coconut organic carrier oil (intervention group) or plain fractionated coconut organic carrier oil (control group) for four weeks. Range of motion (ROM) with three dimensions, i.e., abduction, flexion and extension and pain level were assessed before and after each session. Psychosocial well-being of elders was assessed at baseline and 4-week post-intervention using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). For ROM, the intervention group exhibited a greater number of sessions with statistically significant improvements compared to the control group among all dimensions. Although no significant difference was found on pain level, there is a statistically significant improvements on PHQ-9 [-1.5 (-2.91, 0.19, p<0.05)] and marginal significant on GAD-7 7 [–1.7 (-3.70,0.37, p=.05)].

Authors:
Sze Ki Veronica Lai, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Gary Tse, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
Pui Yuk Agnes Lam, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Veronica LAI is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing Studies and Health Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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