Caring : Indonesian Journal of Nursing Science
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Vol 8 No 1 2026 Caring: Indonesia Journal of Nursing Science

Warm-Water Foot Soaking with Epsom Salt and Lower-Extremity Somatosensory Function after Ischemic Stroke: A Quasi-Experimental Controlled Study

Millatina (Master of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Universitas Prima Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia)
Dwight Mahaputera Marulitua Hutapea (PUI—PT Palliative Care, Universitas Prima Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia)
Elis Anggeria (PUI—PT Palliative Care, Universitas Prima Indonesia, Medan, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

Somatosensory impairment after ischemic stroke can reduce lower-extremity sensitivity, impair balance, and increase fall risk. Evidence for warm-water foot soaking with Epsom salt remains limited. To evaluate its association with lower-extremity somatosensory function after ischemic stroke. This non-randomized quasi-experimental pretest–posttest controlled study included 66 participants allocated sequentially to an intervention group (n = 33) or usual-care control group (n = 33). Somatosensory function was assessed using the sensory domain of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the Lower Extremity. The intervention comprised soaking the feet in 5 L of water at 40 °C with 250 g Epsom salt for 20 minutes, three times weekly for four weeks. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann–Whitney U tests were used. Median scores increased from 7.00 to 8.00 in the intervention group (p < .001) and remained 7.00 in the control group (p = .157). The between-group difference was significant (p = .038; r = 0.256). The intervention was associated with modest improvement. Non-random allocation and the absence of a warm-water-only arm prevent conclusions about efficacy or a salt-specific effect. Keywords: Complementary therapy, Epsom salt, Ischemic stroke, Somatosensory function, Warm-water foot soaking    

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJNS

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

Caring: Indonesian Journal of Nursing Science (IJNS) is an international nursing journal published by the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. IJNS is a peer reviewed journal and welcomes scientific works from nurses, academics, and practitioners in their ...