METHODS: 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.
METHODS: Staff
occupational stress was assessed pre- and post- 12 weeks of aromatherapy
massage with music and anxiety was measured pre and post each massage session. RESULTS: Aromatherapy massage with music significantly reduced anxiety.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: Aromatherapy massage using lavender, rose geranium, rose, and jasmine
was given to the experimental group only. Each massage session lasted 30
minutes, and was performed once weekly for two 8-week periods with self
abdominal daily massage at home. RESULTS: The
intervention produced significant differences in the systolic blood pressure
compared to pretreatment and significant differences in systolic and diastolic
blood pressures at post treatment between the two groups.
METHODS: Aromatherapy is frequently recommended for children but children’s
preferences for specific essential oils are not well documented. Healthy
school-age children of Latino and non-Latino Caucasian ethnicity evaluated each
scent’s effect on mood and energy, stated their preferences, indicated in
scents evoked particular thoughts and selected a favorite essential oil. RESULTS: Females were more likely to feel happy when smelling sweet orange.
Female Latinos were more likely than NLC females to find sweet orange calming.
Male Latinos were more likely to describe peppermint as “energetic” than male
NLC. Children chose an essential oil that they rated as “making them feel happy” and/or as “liking the most”. Ginger and lavender
were the least preferred.
METHODS: 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). RESULTS: Lavender produced a decrement
in performance of working memory, and impaired reaction times for both memory
and attention based tasks compared to controls. In contrast, rosemary produced
enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary memory
factors, but also produced an impairment of speed of memory compared to
controls. 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.
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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
Badia, P., Wesensten, N., Lammers, W., Culpepper, J., Harsh, J. (1990).
Responsiveness to olfactory stimuli presented in sleep. Physiology &
Behavior, 48, 87-90.
METHODS:
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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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).
METHODS: Information was abstracted about study design, population
characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and adverse events. To grade
methodological quality, the Oxman criteria was used
for systematic reviews and the Cochrane Back Review Group criteria was used for
individual trials. RESULTS: Good evidence was found that
cognitive- behavioral therapy, exercise, spinal manipulation, and
interdisciplinary rehabilitation are all moderately effective for chronic or subacute low back pain. Fair evidence also found that
acupuncture, massage, yoga (Viniyoga), and functional
restoration are also effective for chronic low back pain.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: Parenteral administration of
opioids and NSAIDs has been the mainstay for
postoperative pain control in patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable
gastric banding. Both classes of drugs, however, are associated with serious
adverse effects. An addition of complimentary analgesic techniques may decrease
requirement for traditional analgesics. Patients in the study group were
treated with lavender oil, which was applied to the oxygen face mask; the
control group patients received nonscented baby oil. RESULTS: Significantly more patients in the Placebo group (PL) required analgesics
for postoperative pain (22/27, 82%) than patients in the Lavender group (LAV)
(12/26, 46%). Moreover, the LAV patients required significantly less morphine
postoperatively than PL patients.
METHODS: Veterans undergoing major surgery were assigned to a control group
(routine care), an individualized attention group by a massage therapist (20
minutes), or a back massage group by a massage therapist each evening for up to
5 postoperative days. RESULTS: Patients in the
massage group experienced short-term (preintervention
vs postintervention)
decreases in pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and anxiety.
METHODS: 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, post treatment scores significantly
decreased for the Maternity Blues Scale, the State-Anxiety Inventory, and all
but one of the Profile of Mood States subscales. Post treatment 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: Infants were randomized to 5 days of massage followed by 5 days of no
massage or the opposite sequence. During the massage therapy period, massage
was provided daily for three 15 minute periods at the beginning of each 3 hour
period every morning. Metabolic measurements were performed by indirect calorimetry, using the Deltatrac
II Metabolic cart. RESULTS: Energy expenditure was
significantly lower in infants after the 5 day massage therapy period than
after the period without.
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.
METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ylang ylang oil on human
physiological parameters and self-evaluation after transdermal
absorption. RESULTS: The ylang
ylang oil caused a significant decrease of blood
pressure and a significant increase of skin temperature. The ylang ylang oil group rated
themselves calmer and more relaxed than subjects in the control group.
METHODS: Participants received 50 minutes massage or guided relaxation sessions
twice weekly for 4 weeks. The massage included Swedish, neuromuscular, and myofacial techniques. For the relaxation group, an
appropriately trained assistant read a script to guide the participant in using
visualization and muscle relaxation. RESULTS:
Significant improvements were found for the anxiety, depression, vitality,
general health, and positive well-being subscales of the General Well-being
Schedule and for Perceived Stress among the massage participants compared to
guided relaxation.
METHODS: In order to exclude any olfactory stimulation the inhalation of the
fragrances was prevented by breathing masks. RESULTS: Rose oil caused significant decreases of breathing rate, blood oxygen
saturation and systolic blood pressure, which indicate a decrease of autonomic
arousal. Subjects in the rose oil group rated themselves as more calm, more
relaxed and less alert than subjects in the control group.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: 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.
METHODS: Students were exposed to airborne organic essential oil of lavender
after at 5 and 10min after an arithmetic task. RESULTS:
Levels of CgA that had been elevated at the end of
the arithmetic task suggesting increased stress were statistically
significantly lower 10min later.
METHODS: Stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain were randomly assigned to
either an aromatherapy acupressure group or an acupressure group with
aromatherapy acupressure using lavender, rosemary, and peppermint. Each
acupressure session lasted 20 minutes and was performed twice-daily for 2
weeks. RESULTS: The pain scores were markedly
reduced in both groups at post-treatment, compared to pretreatment. The motor
power significantly improved at post-treatment, compared to pretreatment in
both groups