Effect of Nurse-Applied Aloe Vera and Rosemary Oil Combination on Pressure Injury Prevention in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Triple-Blind Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE

Pressure injuries (PIs) are common complications among orthopedic patients. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of aloe vera gel, rosemary oil, and their combination with a control intervention in preventing PIs.

METHODS

A triple-blind randomized four arm parallel clinical trial was conducted among 160 orthopedic patients assigned to four groups: aloe vera-rosemary combination, rosemary oil, aloe vera gel, or control (n=40 each). The assigned spray was applied twice daily for 10 days to pressure-prone areas. Outcomes included PI incidence, skin temperature, and pain intensity.

RESULTS

The aloe vera-rosemary group demonstrated the lowest incidence of sacral, hip, heel, and total PIs compared with the other groups (p = 0.02, 0.03, 0.03, and 0.009, respectively). Significant reductions in pain intensity were also observed across pressure-prone areas over time (all p < 0.001). Additionally, skin temperature decreased significantly in the intervention groups compared with the control group during follow-up (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The rosemary oil and aloe vera-rosemary oil combination showed positive effectiveness in preventing PIs; it is recommended for use in the prevention of PIs among orthopedic patients.