Background Pre-meal hygiene care for patients unable to wash their hands independently is crucial for preventing infection in both community and healthcare settings. This study aims to describe the subjective experiences of Japanese hospitalized patients who received pre-breakfast hand bathing based on their verbal expressions during the intervention and narratives obtained from follow-up interviews. Methods This qualitative descriptive study included 24 Japanese inpatients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation for hip fracture in a recovery ward. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from May to October 2023. Pre-breakfast hand bathing was administered once daily for four consecutive days and participants’ statements during the intervention, along with narratives from semi-structured interviews conducted afterward, were analyzed using content analysis. Results The participants described pre-breakfast hand bathing as an experience of multidimensional comfort, including physical warmth and pleasantness, emotional ease and uplift, and a sense of interpersonal connection. These dimensions were synthesized into the category of enhanced comfort. In addition, the participants expressed heightened readiness for rehabilitation through displays of enthusiasm, hope, awareness of functional improvement, spontaneous movements, and proactive engagement. These observations were integrated into the category of improved recovery motivation. Conclusions This study demonstrates that pre-breakfast hand bathing functions not only as a hygienic procedure but also as a relational and therapeutic practice that supports the physical, emotional, and relational aspects of comfort. By fostering dignity, emotional readiness, and active engagement, this culturally situated intervention holds promise for broader application in rehabilitation and geriatric care. Further research is needed to examine its impact across diverse patient populations and clinical contexts. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (No. UMIN000057438) on March 29, 2025 to disclose the research protocol. See <a href="https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000065477">https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000065477</a>.

Pre-breakfast hand bathing and its contribution to comfort and recovery motivation among postoperative rehabilitation patients in Japan: a qualitative descriptive study

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2026年1月14日

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Keita Sugawara

摘要

Background

Pre-meal hygiene care for patients unable to wash their hands independently is crucial for preventing infection in both community and healthcare settings. This study aims to describe the subjective experiences of Japanese hospitalized patients who received pre-breakfast hand bathing based on their verbal expressions during the intervention and narratives obtained from follow-up interviews.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive study included 24 Japanese inpatients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation for hip fracture in a recovery ward. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from May to October 2023. Pre-breakfast hand bathing was administered once daily for four consecutive days and participants’ statements during the intervention, along with narratives from semi-structured interviews conducted afterward, were analyzed using content analysis.

Results

The participants described pre-breakfast hand bathing as an experience of multidimensional comfort, including physical warmth and pleasantness, emotional ease and uplift, and a sense of interpersonal connection. These dimensions were synthesized into the category of enhanced comfort. In addition, the participants expressed heightened readiness for rehabilitation through displays of enthusiasm, hope, awareness of functional improvement, spontaneous movements, and proactive engagement. These observations were integrated into the category of improved recovery motivation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that pre-breakfast hand bathing functions not only as a hygienic procedure but also as a relational and therapeutic practice that supports the physical, emotional, and relational aspects of comfort. By fostering dignity, emotional readiness, and active engagement, this culturally situated intervention holds promise for broader application in rehabilitation and geriatric care. Further research is needed to examine its impact across diverse patient populations and clinical contexts.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network Center (No. UMIN000057438) on March 29, 2025 to disclose the research protocol. See https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000065477.