Ear Massage and Sleep Quality in Earthquake-Affected Women

The purpose is study is to vestigate the effect of self-administered ear massage on the sleep quality of women affected by the earthquake.

Sleep is a necessary process for the body to renew and maintain functions. Sleep, which begins with the activation of the anterior hypothalamus region in the brain, occurs in two main stages: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement). The REM stage is associated with cognitive functions and memory, while the NREM stage supports cellular renewal and growth. While growth hormone and melatonin increase during sleep, cortisol levels decrease and the body prepares for the new day. Sleep has a great role in regulating mental and physical health. However, sleep disorders are common in society and are seen in 22-50%. These disorders can lead to serious consequences such as concentration and memory problems, depression, immune weakness, obesity and heart diseases. Traumatic events such as earthquakes in particular trigger sleep problems and negatively affect the quality of life of individuals. Sleep disorders can continue for many years in people affected by earthquakes, and women are at higher risk in this regard.Socioeconomic conditions and psychiatric sensitivity in women contribute to the increased risk of sleep disorders. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are used together to eliminate sleep disorders. While pharmacological methods can cause side effects, nonpharmacological approaches are safe and widely preferred. Ear massage, one of the nonpharmacological methods, is an effective intervention that can be applied independently in nursing care. The ear contains an important branch of the vagus nerve, and massage applied to this area activates the parasympathetic nervous system, contributing to stress reduction, balancing cortisol levels, and increasing sleep quality. Ear massage stands out as an effective and side-effect-free method for individuals experiencing sleep problems after a disaster. It is of critical importance for public health nurses to develop and disseminate such easily applicable approaches, especially in the post-disaster period. Ear massage, which supports general health by stimulating the vagus nerve, offers an important option for improving individuals' sleep patterns and quality of life after traumatic events.