온열요법이 퇴행성관절염 노인의 통증과 수면에 미치는 효과

Effects of Heat Therapy Given at a Community Heath Clinic on Sleep and Pain in Rural Elders Who Have Osteoarthritis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify how heat therapy influences pain and sleep in rural elders who have osteoarthritis (OA). Method: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 61 elderly farmers and they were assigned to an experimental group (31) or control group (30). The participants were living within the district boundaries of a public health clinic in North Choong Chung Province. The research was conducted from April 1, to 28, 2006. Results: The results of this study demonstrate that heat therapy is effective in reducing pain and promoting sleep in rural elders who have osteoarthritis. Conclusion: Heat therapy reduced pain, and improved sleep in rural elders, with osteoarthritis.