THE EFFECT OF MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA ON SLEEP QUALITY IN ELDERLY PEOPLE ADMITTED TO NURSING HOMES

Elderly people often suffer from sleep disorders. Chamomile due to the many
health benefits such as sedation may be effective in improving sleep quality in elderly people. This study
aimed to determine the effect of Matricaria chamomilla extract on sleep quality in elderly people
admitted to nursing homes of Isfahan in 2014.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental clinical trial. The study population
was 77 cases of elderly hospitalized in nursing homes. Participants were selected through random
continuous sampling and divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received
400 mg oral capsules of chamomile twice daily after lunch and after dinner for 4 weeks. The control
group did not receive the intervention. Sleep quality in older adults before and after intervention, were
compared using the Sleep Quality Questionnaire Index (PSQI). Data's were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and paired t and independent t tests.
Results: Before intervention, the mean score of sleep quality both experimental and control groups
showed no significant difference (P>0.05). After intervention, the mean score of sleep quality was a
significant difference between experimental and control groups (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Oral administration of chamomile extract has sedative properties in sleep quality of
hospitalized elderly patients in nursing homes. Therefore, it can be used in similar cases and nursing
care.