The Effect of Aloe Vera and Honey Dressings on Preventing Pressure Injuries in High-Risk Elderly ICU Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Today, due to the challenging treatment of pressure injuries, the preferred approach is prevention and care. One preventive measure is the use of specialized dressings, although very few studies have explored this area. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of using aloe vera and honey on the prevention of pressure injuries among elderly patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Qazvin, Iran, in 2022. Methods: In this randomized, single-blind clinical trial, 90 elderly patients at moderate to high risk of developing pressure ulcers were divided into three groups. Each group received a different preventive dressing on their sacral area twice a day for one week: The first group received aloe vera gel, the second group received honey, and the third group received plain gauze. Data were collected using a demographic information checklist, the Braden scale for predicting pressure injury risk, and a pressure injury grading tool. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical tests and statistical software. Results: The mean Braden scale scores for patients in the aloe vera, honey, and simple dressing groups were 10.83 ± 1.41, 10.40 ± 1.52, and 10.30 ± 1.55, respectively (P = 0.40). Ten patients developed pressure injuries (0 in the aloe vera group, 3 in the honey group, and 7 in the simple dressing group). A statistically significant difference was found in the occurrence of pressure injuries between the aloe vera and honey groups compared to the control group (P = 0.015). Conclusions: The study revealed that aloe vera preventive dressing had a significant and favorable effect on pressure injury prevention. Further studies are recommended to validate these findings.