The effectiveness of camphor oil application on joint pain among older adults residing in selected villages in Puducherry

Background: A Joint is defined as the junction where bones and muscles come together, facilitating movement and stability. Normal joint function is ability to move throughout its range of motion and bear weight .Discomfort in the joints is called joint pain. Sometimes the joint swells and feels warm as well. Joint pain can be a symptom of many ailments. Camphor oil is aromatic and absorbed though the skin. It can be used for various health benefits like pain relief and easing of the skin irritations. Camphor oil is extracted from woods of the camphor tree, it is scientifically called as Cinnamomum Camphor. There are four grades and colours of camphor oil as white, brown, yellow and blue in colour. Objectives: 1.To assess the level of joint pain among older adults in experimental and control groups.2.To evaluate the effectiveness of camphor oil application on joint pain among the experimental and control groups.3. To associate the pre test and post test level of camphor oil application on joint pain among older adults with their selected socio demographic variable in experimental group. Methodology: A Quasi-Experimental research design, two group pre test and post test with control group with purposive sampling was adopted for the study. Sample size was 60 (30 in Experimental group and 30 in Control group) and were selected in Moorthikuppam and Panithittu and the data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study findings revealed that post test of experimental group mean score was 2.5333 with standard deviation 0.62881 was higher when comparing to pre test mean score of 3.3333 with standard deviation 0.47946 and it was statistically the post test level of Womac scale was associated with the history of joint pain and it was significant at the level of p<0.001. The study concluded the application of camphor oil was effective to reduce the joint pain among older adults in experimental group when compared to control group. Conclusion: Application of camphor oil has many pharmacological properties. It act as antiviral, anti-cancerous, antimicrobial, insecticidal, anticoccidial, antinociceptive and anti-tussive drug. It can be used as skin penetrating enhancer. Camphor gives smoothing and cooling effect, which helps to reduce pain.