Topical Application of Olive Oil in Preventing Pressure Injuries Among Hospitalized Patients with Mobility Limitations: A Cluster Randomized Trial in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: Pressure injuries (PIs) pose a significant threat to the safety of hospitalized, mobility-compromised patients globally. Olive oil has shown promising results in preventing PIs due to its high concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids and phenol antioxidants, known for their anti-inflammatory and cell-protective properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical olive oil combined with routine preventive interventions in reducing PI incidence.

Methods: A single-blinded, cluster-randomized study was conducted among 80 hospitalized patients at risk of developing PIs. Participants were randomized into two clusters: the intervention group (IVG, n=40) received standard PI preventive care (skin assessment, repositioning, support surfaces) plus topical olive oil application for 7 consecutive days; the control group (CG, n=40) received only standard care. PI prevalence and Braden Scale scores were assessed at baseline and post-intervention (days 3-8). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired sample ttests.

Results: At baseline, both groups had a PI prevalence of 52.5% (n=21). After the intervention, prevalence reduced to 5% (n=2) in IVG and 22.5% (n=9) in CG. The Braden Scale score in the IVG declined from 12.45±0.50 to 11.75±1.13. Statistically significant improvements were observed in Braden scores between day 1 and day 3 (IVG: x̄= -0.28±0.55, t= -3.14, p <0.05; CG: x̄= -0.58±4.69, t= -4.66, p <0.05) and between day 1 and day 8 (IVG: x̄= -0.70±1.07, t= -4.15, p <0.05; CG: x̄= 1.38±1.58, t= -5.50, p <0.05).

Discussion: The findings underscore the clinical benefit of incorporating topical olive oil into standard PI preventive care. The significant reduction in PI prevalence and improved Braden Scale scores suggest olive oil's potential role as a protective agent due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These results align with existing literature on natural oil-based interventions for skin integrity. However, limitations include the small sample size and short duration, warranting further large-scale studies.

Conclusion: Topical olive oil, when used alongside standard care practices, significantly reduced the incidence of pressure injuries in hospitalized, at risk patients. This approach could serve as a cost-effective, natural adjunct to PI prevention protocols, particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings.