The effects of aroma massage and foot bath on psychophysiological response in stroke patients.

Only 14 patients were studied, with seven in each group, so the result is very small and may be unstable. The paper does not describe how randomisation was done, whether patients or assessors were blinded, how allocation was concealed, or whether participants dropped out. No outcome was designated primary, and the paper reports several significant outcomes without clarifying which was the main question. Both groups received general physical therapies, so the added massage and foot bath were compared with usual therapy, not with a placebo or attention-matched control. The added intervention included massage and foot bath, so its separate components cannot be isolated. The sample was restricted: patients had no wound, flare, edema or suppuration, and were not taking hypertension medicine, antidepressants or sleeping pills. The intervention lasted one week, so durability is unknown. The study measured stress, body temperature, mood and sleep satisfaction, not movement, independence, falls or long-term recovery.

Do not conclude that aroma massage or foot bath alone works. The experimental group received general physical therapy plus back massage with essential oils plus foot bath, and the paper does not separate those components. With only 14 patients and no primary outcome, this should not change standard stroke therapy.