Effects of Temperature, Duration, and Heating Height of Foot Thermal Therapy on Sleep Quality of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sleep disturbances, which are common problems in older adults, often lead to cognitive decline and depression and may even increase mortality risk. Foot thermal therapy is a simple and safe approach for improving sleep and is associated with relatively few side effects. However, the effect of different operations of foot thermal therapy on sleep quality in older adults is inconclusive. This study aimed to access the effects of temperature, duration, and heating height of foot thermal therapy (administered through a footbath) on the subjective and objective sleep quality of older adults.