EFFECTS OF AROMATHERAPY AND REFLEXOLOGY ON PAIN, SLEEP, AND SATISFACTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of motor disability in childhood and is frequently accompanied by secondary complications such as chronic pain and sleep disturbances. These problems significantly affect the quality of life of both children and their caregivers. Managing these symptoms is essential for improving overall well-being and enhancing care outcomes.

Complementary and alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy and reflexology, have gained increasing attention in pediatric rehabilitation due to their non-invasive, low-cost, and easy-to-apply nature. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils, such as lavender oil, which are known for their analgesic, sedative, and anxiolytic properties. Reflexology is a manual therapy that applies pressure to specific points on the feet believed to correspond to different body systems, promoting relaxation and physiological balance.

This study was designed as a pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial. The study population consisted of children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with cerebral palsy and their primary caregivers. Participants were recruited from special education and rehabilitation centers affiliated with provincial education authorities. A total of 90 participants were randomly assigned into three groups: aromatherapy (n=30), reflexology (n=30), and control (n=30).

In the aromatherapy group, lavender oil was applied through foot massage. In the reflexology group, pressure was applied to specific reflex points on the soles of the feet. The control group did not receive any intervention. All interventions were implemented according to a structured protocol over a defined period.

Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale. Measurements were conducted before and after the intervention period.

The primary outcomes of the study were pain level and sleep quality, while parental satisfaction was evaluated as a secondary outcome. This study contributes to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of complementary therapies in pediatric nursing care and supports the integration of holistic and family-centered approaches in the management of children with cerebral palsy.

Inclusion criteria

• Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy by a specialist physician
• Aged 6 to 12 years
• Having pain complaints or being suitable for pain assessment
• Having sleep problems or being suitable for sleep quality evaluation
• Parents willing to participate and providing written informed consent
• No health condition or history of allergic reactions preventing participation in aromatherapy or reflexology
• Ability to regularly participate in the intervention sessions

Exclusion criteria

• Known allergic reaction to essential oils used in aromatherapy
• Presence of skin integrity issues, infection, or orthopedic problems preventing reflexology
• Significant neurological changes during the study period, such as increased seizure frequency
• Inability to regularly attend intervention sessions or withdrawal from the study
• Incomplete or incorrectly filled data collection forms
• Voluntary withdrawal of the child or parent from the study
• Initiation of another complementary therapy or pharmacological change that may affect study outcomes