Use the drop-down menu to view abstracts pertaining to a specific topic
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Burnett, K.M., Solterbeck, L.A., & Strapp, C.M. (2004). Scent and mood state following an anxiety-provoking task. Psychological Reports, 95, 707-22.
METHOD: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of water, lavender, or rosemary scent on physiology and mood state following an anxiety-provoking task. Measures of external temperature and heart rate were taken prior to introduction of an anxiety-eliciting task and exposure to lavender, rosemary, or water scents. Following the task, participants completed the Profile of Mood States to assess mood, and temperature and heart rate were reassessed. Participants rated the pleasantness of the scent received. RESULTS: When pleasantness ratings of scent were covaried, physiological changes in temperature and heart rate did not differ based on scent exposure, but mood ratings differed by scent condition. Participants in the rosemary condition scored higher on measures of tension-anxiety and confusion-bewilderment relative to the lavender and control conditions. The lavender and control conditions showed higher mean vigor-activity ratings relative to the rosemary group, while both rosemary and lavender scents were associated with lower mean ratings on the fatigue-inertia subscale, relative to the control group.
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Rho, K., Han, S., Kim, K. & Lee, M. (2006). Effects of aromatherapy massage on anxiety and self-esteem in korean elderly women: a pilot study. International Journal of Neuroscience, 116, 1447-55.
METHOD: This study investigated the effects of aromatherapy
massage on the anxiety and self-esteem experienced by Korean elderly women.
A quasi-experimental, control group, pretest-posttest design was used.
The subjects comprised 36 elderly females: 16 in the experimental group
and 20 in the control group. Aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile,
rosemary, and lemon was given to the experimental group only. Each massage
session lasted 20 min, and was performed 3 times per week for two 3-week
periods with an intervening 1-week break. RESULTS: The
intervention produced significantly lower anxiety and higher self-esteem.
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Kim, M.J., Nam, E.S., & Paik, S.I. (2005). The effects of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and life satisfaction of arthritis patients. Taehan Kanho Hakhow Chi, 35, 186-94.
METHOD: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and feelings of satisfaction in life of arthritis patients. The essential oils used were lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint. RESULTS: Aromatherapy significantly decreased both the pain and depression scores.
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Hwang, J. (2006). The effects of the inhalation method using
essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with
essential hypertension. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36, 1123-34.
METHOD: Fifty-two subjects were divided into an essential
oil group, placebo group, and control group by random assignment. The
application of aromatherapy was the inhalation method of blending oils
with lavender, ylangylang, and bergamot once daily for 4 weeks. To evaluate
the effects of aromatherapy, blood pressure and pulse were measured two
times a week and serum cortisol levels, catecholamine levels, subjective
stress, and state anxiety were measured before and after treatment in
the three groups. RESULTS: The blood pressure, pulse,
subjective stress, state anxiety, and serum cortisol levels among the
three groups were significantly different. The differences of catecholamine
among the three groups were not significant statistically. CONCLUSION:
The results suggest that the inhalation method using essential oils can
be considered an effective nursing intervention that reduces psychological
stress responses and serum cortisol levels, as well as the blood pressure
of clients with essential hypertension.
Moss, M., Cook, J., Wesnes, K. & Duckett, P. (2003).
Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition
and mood in healthy adults. Int J Neurosci, 113, 15-38.
METHOD: This study was designed to assess the impact
of lavender and rosemary on cognitive performance and mood in healthy
volunteers. One hundred and forty-four participants were randomly assigned
to one of three independent groups, and performed the Cognitive Drug Research
(CDR) computerized cognitive assessment battery in a cubicle containing
either one of the two odors or no odor (control). Visual analogue mood
questionnaires were completed prior to exposure to the odor, and subsequently
after completion of the test battery. The outcome variables from the nine
tasks that constitute the CDR core battery feed into six factors that
represent different aspects of cognitive functioning.RESULTS:
Lavender produced a significant decrement in performance of working memory,
and impaired reaction times for both memory and attention based tasks
compared to controls. In contrast, rosemary produced a significant enhancement
of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary memory factors,
but also produced an impairment of speed of memory compared to controls.
With regard to mood, comparisons of the change in ratings from baseline
to post-test revealed that following the completion of the cognitive assessment
battery, both the control and lavender groups were significantly less
alert than the rosemary groups. However, the control group was significantly
less content than both rosemary and lavender groups.
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Wilkinson, S., Love, S., Westcombe, A., Gambles, M., Burgess, C., Cargill, A., Young, T., Maher, E. & Ramirez, A. (2007). Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 25, 532-9.
METHODS: Two hundred eighty-eight cancer patients referred to complementary therapy services with clinical anxiety and/or depression, were allocated randomly to a course of aromatherapy massage or usual supportive care alone. RESULTS: Patients who received aromatherapy massage had lower anxiety and depression compared with those receiving usual care 6 weeks postrandomization. Patients receiving aromatherapy massage also described greater improvement in anxiety at both 6 and 10 weeks postrandomization.
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Cortisol
Atsumi, T. & Tonosaki, K. (2007). Smelling lavender and rosemary
increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol levels
in saliva. Psychiatry Research, 150, 89-96.
METHOD: Free radicals/reactive oxygen species are related
to many biological phenomena such as inflammation, aging, and carcinogenesis.
The body possesses various antioxidative systems (free radical scavenging
activity, FRSA) for preventing oxidative stress, and saliva contains such
activity. In the present study, we measured the total salivary FRSA induced
after the smelling of lavender and rosemary essential oils that are widely
used in aromatherapy. Various physiologically active substances in saliva
such as cortisol, secretory IgA, and alpha-amylase activity were found
to be correlated with aroma-induced FRSA. The subjects (22 healthy volunteers)
sniffed aroma for 5 min, and each subject's saliva was collected immediately.
RESULTS: The FRSA values were increased by stimulation
with low concentrations (1000 times dilution) of lavender or by high-concentrations
(10 times dilution) of rosemary. In contrast, both lavender and rosemary
stimulations decreased cortisol levels. A significant inverse correlation
was observed between the FRSA values and the cortisol levels with each
concentration of rosemary stimulation. No significant changes were noted
in sIgA or alpha-amylase. These findings clarify that lavender and rosemary
enhance FRSA and decrease the stress hormone, cortisol, which protects
the body from oxidative stress.
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Dental Pain
Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., Lehr, S., Johren, P. & Deecke, L. (2005). Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav, 86, 92-5.
METHOD: The goal of this study was to investigate the
impact of orange and lavender on anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness
in dental patients. Two hundred patients between the ages of 18 and 77
years (half women, half men) were assigned to one of four independent
groups. While waiting for dental procedures patients were either stimulated
with ambient odor of orange or ambient odor of lavender. These conditions
were compared to a music condition and a control condition (no odor, no
music). Anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness were assessed while patients
waited for dental treatment. RESULTS: Statistical analyses
revealed that compared to control condition both ambient odors of orange
and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for
dental treatment. These findings support the previous opinion that odors
are capable of altering emotional states and may indicate that the use
of odors is helpful in reducing anxiety in dental patients.
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Fernandez, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Sanders, C., Diego, M., & Roca, A. (2004). EEG during lavender and rosemary exposure in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers. British Journal of Psychology, 27, 91-100.
METHOD: This study investigated whether exposure to pleasant odors would change electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers. Twenty newborns were exposed to a 10% v/v concentration of rosemary oil or lavender oil and their EEG was recorded for 2-minutes each at baseline and during odor exposure. Group inclusion (depressed versus non-depressed) was based on mothers' CES-D depression scores. RESULTS: Results revealed that the groups did not differ at baseline and that the two odors did not differentially affect the EEG. However, the infants of depressed mothers showed increased relative left frontal EEG activation while infants of non-depressed mothers showed increased relative right frontal EEG activation from baseline to the odor exposure phase. Relative left frontal EEG activation has been associated with an approaching pattern of behavior and response to positive stimuli, while relative right frontal EEG activation has been associated with a withdrawing pattern of behavior and response to negative stimuli. These results suggest that infants of depressed and non-depressed mothers respond differently to odors.
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Imura, M., Ushijima, H., & Misao, H. (2005). A clinical trial on the effect of aroma-massage among normal postpartum mothers: Maternity blues, anxiety, moods, feeling toward baby, and salivary cortisol. Janpanese Journal of Aromatherapy, 5 (1).
METHOD: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aroma-massage (full body massage under the diffusion of aroma) among normal postpartum mothers. A quasi-experimental between groups design was used. Mothers who received aroma-massage were compared to a control group who received standard care on the maternity ward. Forty first-time normal postpartum mothers who have full-term healthy infants participated in this study. Twenty mothers received a 30-minute aroma-massage session on the second postpartum day, and gave saliva and completed four standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention: 1) Maternity Blues Scale; 2) State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI); 3) Profile of Mood States (POMS); and 4) Feeling Toward Baby Scale. RESULTS: Findings showed that scores significantly decreased in the Maternity Blues Scale and each subscale of the POMS except the POMS-Vigor. Moreover, scores significantly increased in POMS-Vigor. The scores on Feelings toward Baby tended to increase more in the aroma-massage group. Salivary cortisol tended to decrease more in the aroma-massage group, but did not show significant decrease between two groups.
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Imura, M., Ushijima, H., & Misao, H. (2004). Study on the preferences of postpartum mothers for sweet orange, lavender, and geranium as well as other postpartum factors.
METHOD: Subjects in this study were hospitalized on a maternity ward of the general hospital in Tokyo. The subjects were assigned to three groups and presented with the three kinds of aroma (sweet orange, lavender, geranium) in different order. After answering three questionnaires (i.e., the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and questionnaires on maternity blues and how mothers feel about their babies), the subjects in each group were asked to smell three kinds of aroma, comment on how the aroma made them feel, and indicate the order of their preferences for three kinds of aroma. RESULTS: 90% of the subjects answered that sweet orange made them feel comfortable, and none of them answered that the aroma made them feel uncomfortable. Sweet orange was selected as the first preference by 72% of the subjects. Using the EPDS results, the subjects were divided into two groups (normal and depressed) according to the EPDS clinical cutoff point of less than or equal to 9. There were no statistically significant differences between the preference for each kind of aroma and the following factors: scores obtained from the maternity blues questionnaire, scores obtained from the questionnaire on how mothers feel about their babies, and feeding pattern. However, the association between lavender and EPDS score, geranium and mode of delivery, and geranium and rooming in were statistically significant.
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Han, S., Hur, M., Buckle, J., Choi, J. & Lee, M. (2006). Effects of
aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: a randomizaed
placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine, 12, 535-41.
METHOD: 67 female college students who rated their menstrual
cramps to be greater than 6 on a 10-point visual analogue scale, who had
no systemic or reproductive diseases, and who did not use contraceptive
drugs were randomized into three groups: (1) an experimental group (n
= 25) who received aromatherapy, (2) a placebo group (n = 20), and (3)
a control group (n = 22). Aromatherapy was applied topically to the experimental
group in the form of an abdominal massage using two drops of lavender,
one drop of clary sage, and one drop of rose in 5 cc of almond oil. The
placebo group received the same treatment but with almond oil only and
the control group received no treatment. The menstrual cramps level was
assessed using a visual analogue scale and severity of dysmenorrhea was
measured with a verbal multidimensional scoring system. RESULTS:
The menstrual cramps were significantly lower in the aromatherapy group
than in the other two groups at both post-test time points (first and
second day of menstruation after treatment). From the multiple regression,
aromatherapy was found to be associated with the changes in menstrual
cramp levels and the severity of dysmenorrhea than that found in the other
two groups.
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Badia, P., Wesensten, N., Lammers, W., Culpepper, J., Harsh,
J. (1990). Responsiveness to olfactory stimuli presented in sleep. Physiol
Behav, 48, 87-90.
METHOD: Responses of ten participants were recorded to
repeated three-minute periods of either air alone or to a peppermint odor
during stage 2 sleep. These responses included behavioral (awakening,
microswitch closure), autonomic (heart rate, EMG, respiration), and central
(EEG) components. RESULTS: Results indicate that humans
react behaviorally, autonomically and centrally to olfactory stimuli presented
while sleeping. Although the percentage of overall responsivity to olfactory
stimuli was low, significant differences in responsivity to odor periods
vs. nonodor periods were found for microswitch closures, EEG, EMG, and
heart rate. For these measures eight or more of the ten participants showed
this pattern of differential responsivity during odor and nonodor periods.
A time-of-night effect was also observed in that responsivity tended to
be greatest early in the night.
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Diego, M., Jones, N.A., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., McAdam, V., Galamaga, R. & Galamaga, M. (1998). Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. International Journal of Neuroscience, 96, 217-224.
METHOD: EEG activity, alertness, mood and cortisol levels were assessed in 40 adults given 3 minutes of aromatherapy using two aromas, lavender (considered a relaxing odor) or rosemary (considered a stimulating odor). Participants were also given simple math computations before and after the therapy. RESULTS: The lavender group showed increased beta power suggesting increased drowsiness, they had less depressed mood (POMS) and reported feeling more relaxed and they performed the math computations faster and more accurately following aromatherapy. The rosemary group, on the other hand, showed decreased frontal alpha and beta power, suggesting increased alertness. They also had lower state anxiety scores, reported feeling more relaxed and alert and they were only faster, not more accurate, at completing the math computations after the aromatherapy session.
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Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Cisneros, W.,
Feijo, L., Vera, Y., Gil, K., Grina, D. & Claire He Q. (2005). Lavender
fragrance cleansing gel effects on relaxation. Int J Neurosci,
115, 207-22.
METHOD: Alertness, mood, and math computations were assessed
in 11 healthy adults who sniffed a cosmetic cleansing gel with lavender
floral blend aroma, developed to be relaxing using Mood, EEG patterns
and heart rate were also recorded before, during, and after the aroma
session. RESULTS: The lavender fragrance blend had a
significant transient effect of improving mood, making people feel more
relaxed, and performing the math computation faster. The self-report and
EEG and heart rate data are consistent with relaxation profiles during
other sensory stimuli such as massage and music, as reported in the literature.
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Lorig,T.S., Herman, K.B., Schwartz, G.E., Cain, W.S. (1990).
EEG activity during administration of low-concentration odors. Bulletin-of-the-Psychonomic-Society,
28(5), 405-408.
METHOD: Sixteen adults were exposed to 4 concentrations
of 2 odorants while EEG data were recorded. The concentrations used in
the study were no odor, low (undetected in half the Ss), medium, and high.
RESULTS: The distribution of EEG theta activity differed
as a function of odor concentration. EEG beta activity differed as a function
of odor and concentration for the Ss who were unable to detect the presence
of the odors. These Ss also reported being significantly less happy during
the administration of the undetected odors.
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Masago, R., Matsuda, T., Kikuchi, Y., Miyazaki, Y., Iwanaga, K., Harada, H. & Katsuura, T. (2000). Effects of inhalation of essential oils on EEG activity and sensory evaluation. J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci, 19, 35-42.
METHOD: The purpose of this study was to investigate EEG changes in subjects directly after inhalation of essential oils, and subsequently, to observe any effect on subjective evaluations. EEG and sensory evaluation were assessed in 13 healthy female subjects in four odor conditions. Four odor conditions (including lavender, chamomile, sandalwood and eugenol) were applied respectively for each subject in the experiment. RESULTS: The results were as follows. 1) Four basic factors were extracted from 22 adjective pairs by factor analysis of the sensory evaluation. The first factor was "comfortable feeling", the second "cheerful feeling", the third "natural feeling" and the fourth "feminine feeling". In the score of the first factor (comfortable feeling), the odors in order of high contribution are lavender, eugenol, chamomile and sandalwood. 2) Alpha 1 of EEG at parietal and posterior temporal regions significantly decreased soon after the onset of inhalation of lavender oil. Significant changes of alpha 1 were also observed after inhalation of eugenol or chamomile. The change after inhalation of sandalwood was not significant. These results showed that alpha 1 activity significantly decreased under odor conditions in which subjects felt comfortable, and showed no significant change under odor conditions in which subjects felt uncomfortable. These results suggest a possible correlation between alpha 1 activity and subjective evaluation.
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Sanders, C., Diego, M., Fernandez, M., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif,
M. & Roca A. EEG asymmetry responses to lavender and rosemary aromas
in adults and infants. (2002). Int J Neurosci, 112, 1305-20.
METHOD: Frontal EEG asymmetry shifting from baseline
was examined in adults and infants exposed to lavender and rosemary by
reanalyzing previously published data, using techniques different from
those utilized in the original two studies. RESULTS:
Results from Study 1 on 39 adults revealed significant EEG shifting in
the lavender group, with greater relative left frontal EEG activation
(associated with greater approach behavior and less depressed affect).
The participants in the two aroma groups were further grouped by those
with greater baseline, left frontal EEG activation, versus those with
greater baseline, right frontal activation. Collapsing across aroma groups,
those with greater baseline, right frontal activation, shifted left during
the aroma. Those with greater baseline left frontal activation did not
change. In the rosemary group, those with greater baseline right frontal
EEG activation shifted left during the aroma, while those with greater
baselines left frontal EEG activation shifted right. In the lavender group,
those with greater baselines right frontal baseline EEG activation shifted
left, but those with greater baselines left did not shift. Study 2 on
27 full-term newborns revealed no significant shifts in asymmetry in either
aroma group. However, when the aroma groups were collapsed, the right
frontal EEG group exhibited significant shifting to left frontal EEG activation.
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Lee, S.Y. (2005). The effect of lavender aromatherapy on cognitive function, emotion, and aggressive behavior of elderly with dementia. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 35, 303-12.
METHOD: The Research design was a nonequivalent control
group non-synchronized quasiexperimental study. Lavender aromatherapy
was administrated to experimental group I for 2 weeks, jojoba oil massage
was administrated to experimental group II for 2 weeks, and no treatment
was administrated to the control group for 2 weeks. RESULTS:
1. Experimental group I did not show significant differences in cognitive
function in relation to the experimental group II and control group. 2.
Experimental group I showed significant differences in emotion and aggressive
behavior in relation to the experimental group II and control group.
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Itai, T., Amayasu, H., Kuribayashi, M., Kawamura, N., Okada, M., Momose, A., Tateyama, T., Narumi, K., Uematsu, W., & Kaneko, S. (2000). Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients. Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 54, 393-397.
METHOD: Effects of aromatherapy (odorless condition, lavender, and hiba oil) on mood and anxiety were investigated in patients who were being treated with chronic hemodialysis. A control period consisting of natural hospital smells was established before each test session, and then aromatic test conditions were systematically evaluated for odorless conditions as well as aromatic conditions containing lavender and hiba oil aromas. The effects of aromatherapy were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA). RESULTS: Hiba oil aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMD and HAMA, and lavender aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMA. The mean scores of HAMD and HAMA in an odorless condition were not significantly different from those of the control conditions.
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Lewith, G.T., Godfrey, A.D. & Prescott, P. (2005). A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia. J Altern Complement Med, 11, 631-7.
METHOD: The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of lavender on insomnia. The aroma was supplied via an Aromastream device assessed by a randomized, single-blind, cross-over design (baseline, two treatment periods, and a washout period, each of 1 week duration). RESULTS: Lavender created an improvement of -2.5 points in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
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Menopause
Murakami , S., Shirota, T., Hayashi, S. & Ishizuka, B. (2005). Aromatherapy
for outpatients with menopausal symptoms in obstetrics and gynecology.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11, 491-4.
METHOD: in another aromatherapy study the effectiveness of aromatherapy for outpatients with menopausal symptoms. The patients' physical and mental health status was measured at the start and endpoint of the trial by use of the Kupperman index (KI), the self-rating depression scale, and consultation. RESULTS: The KI score was significantly lowered after the aromatherapy trial.
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Campenni, C.E., et al. (2004). Role of suggestion in odor-induced mood change. Psychol Rep, 94, 1127-36.
METHOD: The effects of ambient odor (lavender, neroli or placebo) and suggestions related to the effects of an odor (relaxing, stimulating or none) on mood were explored. RESULTS: physiological measures were influenced by suggestion in predictable directions. Relaxing odors yielded decreases in heart rate and skin conductance, with stimulating odors yielding the reverse effects under equivalent conditions
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Han, S. H., Yang, B. S., & Kim, H. J. (2003). Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage on abdominal obesity among middle aged women. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 33, 839-846.
METHOD: Aromatherapy massage and placebo massage were given for two weeks. Weight, abdominal circumference and appetite were compared. RESULTS: The apparent effectiveness of Aromatherapy Massage in reducing weight, abdominal circumference and appetite was noted.
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Wilkinson, S., Aldridge, J., Salmon, I., Cain, E. & Wilson, B. (1999). An evaluation of aromatherapy massage in palliative care. Palliat Med, 3, 409-17.
METHOD: This study assessed the effects of massage and
aromatherapy massage on cancer patients in a palliative care setting.
We studied 103 patients, who were randomly allocated to receive massage
using a carrier oil (massage) or massage using a carrier oil plus the
Roman chamomile essential oil (aromatherapy massage). Outcome measurements
included the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL), the State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory (STAI) and a semi-structured questionnaire, administered 2 weeks
postmassage, to explore patients' perceptions of massage. RESULTS:
There was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety after each
massage on the STAI, and improved scores on the RSCL: psychological, quality
of life, severe physical, and severe psychological subscales for the combined
aromatherapy and massage group. The aromatherapy group's scores improved
on all RSCL subscales at the 1% level of significance or better, except
for severely restricted activities. The massage group's scores improved
on four RSCL subscales, but these improvements did not reach statistical
significance. Massage with or without essential oils appears to reduce
levels of anxiety. The addition of an essential oil seems to enhance the
effect of massage and to improve physical and psychological symptoms,
as well as overall quality of life.
Postoperative Pain
Kim, J.T., Wajda, M., Cuff, G., Serota, D., Schlame, M., Axelrod, D.M., Guth, A.A. & Bekker, A.Y. (2006). Evaluation of aromatherapy in treating postoperative pain: pilot study. Pain Practice, 6, 273-7
METHOD: In a study on postoperative pain, this study compared the analgesic
efficacy of postoperative lavender oil aromatherapy was given to patients
undergoing breast biopsy surgery. RESULTS: Patients in the lavender group
reported a higher satisfaction rate with pain control than patients in
the control group.
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Imura, M., Misao, H. & Ushijima, H. The psychological
effects of aromatherapy-massage in healthy postpartum mothers. J Midwifery
Womens Health, 51, 21-7.
METHOD: This study examined the effect of aromatherapy-massage
in healthy postpartum mothers. A quasi-experimental between-groups design
was used. Mothers who received aromatherapy-massage were compared with
a control group who received standard postpartum care. Thirty-six healthy,
first-time mothers with vaginal delivery of a full-term, healthy infant
participated in this study. Sixteen mothers received a 30-minute aromatherapy-massage
on the second postpartum day; 20 mothers were in the control group. All
mothers completed the following four standardized questionnaires before
and after the intervention: 1) Maternity Blues Scale; 2) State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory; 3) Profile of Mood States (POMS); and 4) Feeling toward Baby
Scale. RESULTS: In the aromatherapy-massage group, posttreatment
scores significantly decreased for the Maternity Blues Scale, the State-Anxiety
Inventory, and all but one of the Profile of Mood States subscales. Posttreatment
scores in the intervention group significantly increased in Profile of
Mood States-Vigor subscale and the Approach Feeling toward Baby subscale.
Scores in the intervention group significantly decreased in Conflict Index
of Avoidance/Approach Feeling toward Baby subscale. Our results suggest
that aromatherapy-massage might be an effective intervention for postpartum
mothers to improve physical and mental status and to facilitate mother-infant
interaction.
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Goubet, N., Rattaz, C., Pierrat, V., Bullinger, A., & Lequien, P. (2003). Olfactory experience mediates response to pain in preterm newborns. Developmental Psychobiology, 42, 171-80.
METHOD: This study assessed the effects of a familiar odor during routine blood draws in healthy preterm newborns. Infants were observed as they were undergoing either a capillary puncture on the heel (heelstick) or a venous puncture on the hand. During the procedure, one third of the infants were presented with an odor they had been familiarized with prior to the procedure, one third of the infants were presented with an odor, they had not been previously exposed to, and one third were presented with no odor. RESULTS: Heelsticks elicited more behavioral distress than venipunctures. Infants who were presented with a familiar odor during venipuncture showed no significant increase in crying and grimacing during the procedure compared to baseline levels. By comparison, infants presented with an unfamiliar odor or with no odor either during the heelstick or the venipuncture had a significant increase in crying and grimacing. When the pain was milder, i.e., during a venipuncture, and a familiar odor was presented, infants showed little to no crying.
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Cooke, B. & Ernst, E. (2000). Aromatherapy: a systematic review. Br J Gen Pract, 50, 493-6.
REVIEW: Aromatherapy is becoming increasingly popular; however there are few clear indications for its use. To systematically review the literature on aromatherapy in order to discover whether any clinical indication may be recommended for its use, computerized literature searches were performed to retrieve all randomized controlled trials of aromatherapy from the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, British Nursing Index, CISCOM, and AMED. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Jadad score. All trials were evaluated independently by both authors and data were extracted in a pre-defined, standardized fashion. Twelve trials were located: six of them had no independent replication; six related to the relaxing effects of aromatherapy combined with massage. These studies suggest that aromatherapy massage has a mild, transient anxiolytic effect. Based on a critical assessment of the six studies relating to relaxation, the effects of aromatherapy are probably not strong enough for it to be considered for the treatment of anxiety. The hypothesis that it is effective for any other indication is not supported by the findings of rigorous clinical trials.
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Sayette, M.A. & Parrott, D.J. (1999). Effects of olfactory stimuli on urge reduction in smokers. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol, 7, 151-9.
METHOD: This study examined the possibility that exposure to olfactory stimuli can reduce self-reported urge to smoke. After an initial assessment of self-reported urge, nicotine-deprived smokers evaluated the pleasantness of a series of 8 odors. Facial expressions during odor presentations were coded with P. Ekman and W. V. Friesen's Facial Action Coding System. After odor administration, participants were exposed to smoking cues. Next, participants were administered their most pleasant, least pleasant, or a control odor (water) and reported their urge to smoke. RESULTS: Results indicated that sniffing either a pleasant or unpleasant odor reduced reported urge to smoke relative to the control odor. Reported pleasantness of the odors did not differentially affect urge reduction. Odors eliciting negative-affect-related expressions, however, were less effective than odors that did not elicit negative-affect-related expressions in reducing reported urge. Results of this preliminary investigation provide support for the consideration of odor stimuli as an approach to craving reduction.
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Motomura, N., Sakurai, A. & Yotsuya, Y. (2001). Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills, 93, 713-8.
METHOD: The effect of the lavender odorant on a Japanese version of Cox and Mackay's stress/arousal adjective checklist for three groups was studied. One group of 14 was placed into a sound protected room for 20 min without the presentation of an odor, an analogous group of 15 received the odor oil, and one group of 13 received a nonstressful condition. RESULTS: Analysis suggested that lavender odorants were associated with reduced mental stress and decreased arousal.
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Park, M.K. & Lee, E.S. (2004). The effect of aroma inhalation method
on stress responses of nursing students. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi,
34, 344-51.
METHOD: This study was a quasi-experimental research
using a non-equivalent pre-post design and was conducted from June 1 to
June 5, 2002. The subjects consisted of 77 junior nursing students who
were divided into 39 experimental group members and 38 control group members.
A pretest and Post-test were conducted to measure body symptoms, the level
of anxiety, and the level of perceived stress. In the experimental group,
aromas were given using an aroma lamp, lavender, peppermint, rosemary
and Clary-Sage. In the control group, the treatment was not administered.
RESULT: As a result of administering aroma inhalation
to nursing students, their physical symptoms decreased, their anxiety
scores were low, and their perceived stress scores were low, showing that
aroma inhalation could be a very effective stress management method.
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Mori, M., Ikeda, N., Kato, Y., Minamino, M. & Watabe, K. (2002). Inhibition of elastase activity by essential oils in vitro. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 1, 183-7.
METHOD: Essential oils are widely used, for example in
aromatherapy and aroma massage. In aroma massage, essential oil, diluted
with vegetable oil, is rubbed onto the skin. Components of essential oil
penetrate into the skin and have an influence on the dermis. Elastase
is an enzyme which degenerates dermal elastin. Elastase activity is believed
to contribute to cutaneous wrinkling and ageing. Inhibition of elastase
activity by various essential oils was assessed. RESULTS:
Elastase activity was inhibited by various essential oils, especially
by those oils derived from lemons, juniper and grapefruit. Although the
specific inhibitory component was not determined, lemon oil had the greatest
inhibitory effect. These studies demonstrate a possible rationale for
the use of essential oil massage as a preventive treatment for cutaneous
wrinkling and ageing.
