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Research Paper | Nursing | India | Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024
A Quasi Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Hot Water Application with Epsom Salt on Joint Pain, Stiffness, and Physical Function among Women at Selected Area in Dehradun
Rawal Varsha | Cherian Blessy
Abstract: Background: Aging is a natural process. Everyone has to get through this stage of life on their own time and pace. In its broadest sense, aging reflects all the changes that occur over time. These changes begin at birth and continue through growth, development, and maturity. Joint pain is no longer a problem that only affects older people. Young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 are increasingly experiencing joint problems and are known to suffer from acute joint pain, especially in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, ankles, feet and toes. Once considered an age-related disease, joint pain is now gradually becoming an epidemic, leading to reduced mobility and flexibility in young and middle-aged people. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of hot water application with Epsom salt on level of joint pain, stiffness, and physical function among women in experimental and control group. Materials and Methods: Quantitative Approach with quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test Research design was used in the study. A convenient sampling technique was used to collect data from 50 Women suffering from joint pain,based on the inclusive criteria 25 samples in experimental group and 25 samples in control group was selected. The study was conducted in Mohabbewala, Dehradun. On the first day data on the demographic variables of the experimental group were collected using astructured interview method. A pretest was then conducted on the participants using the Modified WOMAC scale, Participants applied warm water application containing 4g of Epsom salts in one session (20 minutes)once a day in the morning for 10 days. A post test was conducted on the 10th day after the intervention. For the control group, demographic variables were collected using a structured interview method. Thereafter, a pre-test was conducted on day 1stand post-test was conducted on day 10thusing the Modified WOMAC scale. Results: Data analysis showed that the mean post-test level of joint pain scores in experimental group 10.52(SD+ 2.84) was significantly lower than the mean post-test level of joint pain scores in control group 13.16 (SD + 2.66) and mean difference is 2.64. The Independent ?t? value was 3.39 which was significant at P < 0.05 level. The mean post-test level of stiffness scores in experimental group 4.08(SD+ 1.35) was significantly lower than the mean post-test level of stiffness score in control group 6.88(SD + 1.142) and mean difference is 2.8. The Independent ?t? value was 7.93 which was significant at P < 0.05 level. The mean post-test of level of difficulty in physical function scores in experimental group 26.24(SD+ 8.006) was significantly lower than the mean post-test level of difficulty in physical function scores in control group 47.96 (SD + 5.98) and mean difference is 21.45. The Independent ?t? value was 10.91 which was significant at P < 0.05 level. Which showed that hot water application with Epsom salt intervention was effective in reducing the level of joint pain, stiffness and in improving the physical function in experimental group. Conclusion: This study concluded that the hot water application with Epsom salt was effective in reducing joint pain, stiffness and physical function.
Keywords: Assess, joint pain, stiffness, physical function, effectiveness, Hot water application, Epsom salt, women
Edition: Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024,
Pages: 44 - 46