Effect of Aloe vera Gel, Calendula officinalis Ointment and Simple Prophylactic Sacral Dressings for Pressure Injury Development

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Prophylactic dressings play a signi fi cant role in the prevention of pressure injury. However, no herbal products have been used in this regard, so far. Therefore, the present study was designed with the aim of comparing the effect of Aloe vera gel, Calendula of fi cinalis ointment and simple sacral prophylactic dressings on pressure injury development in patients admitted to intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: The sample of this clinical trial study consisted of 90 critically ill patients. Randomization was performed by head nurse in intensive care unit. Patients in group “ A ” received Aloe vera gel prophylactic dressing twice a day; patients in group “ B ” received Calendula of fi cinalis ointment prophylactic dressing twice a day; and patients in group “ C ” received simple prophylactic dressing twice a day. The development of pressure injury was compared between these three groups after the intervention. Results: Demographic variables were similar in all three groups (p> 0.05). The results showed that 3 patients (10%) who received the simple dressing, 2 patients (6.6%) who received the Calendula of fi cinalis ointment dressing were wounded, while the development of pressure injury in patients who received the Aloe vera gel dressing was zero. The results of chi-square test showed that the frequency distribution of the pressure injury development in the two groups receiving Aloe vera gel and simple dressing was different. This difference was statistically signi fi cant (p < 0.05). However, there was no signi fi cant difference between the Aloe vera gel and Calendula of fi cinalis ointment groups as well as the Calendula of fi cinalis ointment group and the simple dressing. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that using Aloe vera gel and Calendula of fi cinalis ointment prophylactic dressing twice a day can be effective in prevention of pressure injury in patients admitted to intensive care unit.