The effects of peppermint gel on prevention of pressure injury in hospitalized patients with head trauma in neurosurgical ICU: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of peppermint gel on the prevention of pressure injuries in patients with head trauma admitted to neurosurgical intensive care units. Design: This double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 150 patients with head trauma admitted to the ICU. Using sealed envelopes, patients were assigned randomly into two intervention (n = 75) and control (n = 75) groups. Setting: The study was conducted in the ICUs of a university hospital and a general hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Intervention: The intervention group received peppermint gel three times a day up to 14 days during the skin care as a layer on the skin areas exposed to the risk of pressure injuries. The control group used a placebo gel. Primary outcomes: The expected outcome in this study was the incidence of pressure injuries stage I, which once daily was evaluated by pairs of observers with the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. Results: The incidence rate of pressure injuries was 22.8% and 77% in the intervention and the control groups, respectively. The chi-square test result showed a significant deference between two groups (P < 0.001). Sacrum was the most common site for incidence of the pressure injuries. Conclusion: The findings showed that the peppermint gel has a positive effect in the prevention of pressure injuries in the patients with head trauma admitted to ICUs. So, the use of this gel is suggested as an easy and low-cost method for prevention of pressure injuries in the patients admitted to ICUs.