The effect of Bach flower remedies on quality of life and sleep in hospital professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic

摘要

Background:Health-related quality of life and sleep are linked for hospital staff on the night shift.In the context of COVID-19 these workers have become a vulnerable group.The World Health Organization(WHO)warns that this pandemic is likely to have short-and long-term impacts on mental health.Despite the importance of this issue,there are few studies that propose strategies and interventions forcoping and adapting to the situation.Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of Bach flower therapy for improving the quality of life and sleep of night shift workers in the hospital setting during COVID-19.Methodology:Mixed methodology.Observational,analytical,longitudinal study,with case and control groups.A total of 150 health professionals who work on the night shift took part in the study,which consisted in participants taking Bach flowers orally.The SF-12v2,Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire,andan ad hoc questionnaire were applied pre and post intervention.Results:The mental health component,insomnia and emotion management,showed significant results in the intervention group(P=0.007,n=26)compared to the control group(P=0.202)in mental health and in insomnia(P=0.490,n=34).Other results show that 82.6%of the sample suffers from insomnia,of which 13.3%have severe symptoms and 38%show risk of depression.Conclusion:Bach Flower Remedies demonstrated to be effective in improving night shift workers’mental health component(measured with SF-12v2),insomnia and emotion management during the COVID-19 lockdown.Bach Flower Remedies could be used as a coping strategy in complex situations within the hospital setting.