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Complementary Therapies in Medicine Aug 2022Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, patients still suffer from the various physical and psychological complications of cancer. The aim of this... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, patients still suffer from the various physical and psychological complications of cancer. The aim of this research was to integrate and synthesize relevant scientific evidence about the effect of lavender on cancer complications.
METHODS
A systematic review of the international literature was undertaken. The search process encompassed four databases of PubMed [including MEDLINE], Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane library without time and language limits. All types of interventional studies examining the effects of lavender on cancer complications were included in data analysis and research synthesis. Relevant data were obtained from eligible studies after quality appraisal using appropriate methodological tools. Given that meta-analysis could not performed, the review findings were synthesized narratively.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included in this review with a total of 838 patients. Nine studies used a randomized controlled trial design and the majority of them were conducted on patients with multiple types of cancer. Lavender was often used as inhalation aromatherapy. In the majority of the included studies, lavender was significantly effective in the reduction of anxiety and pain, and improved sleep quality and vital signs.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of lavender in mitigating cancer complications. Healthcare providers are suggested to use lavender in patient care along with other healthcare interventions to relieve cancer complications.
Topics: Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Aromatherapy; Humans; Lavandula; Neoplasms; Oils, Volatile; Pain; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35462027
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102836 -
The Gerontologist Jan 2018To draw from systematic and other literature reviews to identify, describe, and critique nonpharmacological practices to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To draw from systematic and other literature reviews to identify, describe, and critique nonpharmacological practices to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) and provide evidence-based recommendations for dementia care especially useful for potential adopters.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
A search of systematic and other literature reviews published from January 2010 through January 2017. Nonpharmacological practices were summarized to describe the overall conceptual basis related to effectiveness, the practice itself, and the size and main conclusions of the evidence base. Each practice was also critically reviewed to determine acceptability, harmful effects, elements of effectiveness, and level of investment required, based on time needed for training/implementation, specialized care provider requirements, and equipment/capital requirements.
RESULTS
Nonpharmacological practices to address BPSDs include sensory practices (aromatherapy, massage, multi-sensory stimulation, bright light therapy), psychosocial practices (validation therapy, reminiscence therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, meaningful activities), and structured care protocols (bathing, mouth care). Most practices are acceptable, have no harmful effects, and require minimal to moderate investment.
DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS
Nonpharmacological practices are person-centered, and their selection can be informed by considering the cause and meaning of the individual's behavioral and psychological symptoms. Family caregivers and paid care providers can implement evidence-based practices in home or residential care settings, although some practices require the development of more specific protocols if they are to become widely used in an efficacious manner.
Topics: Behavioral Symptoms; Caregivers; Complementary Therapies; Dementia; Humans; Patient Care Management; Psychomotor Agitation
PubMed: 29361069
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnx167 -
Medicine Mar 2021This systematic review investigated the clinical effects of inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of sleep problems such as insomnia. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
This systematic review investigated the clinical effects of inhalation aromatherapy for the treatment of sleep problems such as insomnia.
METHODS
Studies on sleep problems and inhalation aromatherapy, published in Korean and international journals, were included in the meta-analysis. Five domestic and international databases, respectively each, were used for the literature search. Keywords included sleep disorder, sleep problems, insomnia, and aroma inhalation, and the related literature was further searched. After the screening, selected articles were assessed for their quality and conducted the risk of bias using RevMan 5.0, a systematic literature review was then conducted. A meta-analysis comparing the averages was conducted on studies that reported numerical values. Additionally, meta-analysis of variance and meta-regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis of the 34 studies using the random-effects model revealed that the use of aromatherapy was highly effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia, including quantitative and qualitative sleep effects (95% confidence interval [CI], effect sizes = 0.6491). Subgroup analysis revealed that the secondary outcomes including stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were significantly effective. The single aroma inhalation method was more effective than the mixed aroma inhalation method. Among the single inhalation methods, the lavender inhalation effect was the greatest.
CONCLUSION
Inhalation aromatherapy is effective in improving sleep problems such as insomnia. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific guidelines for the efficient inhalation of aromatherapy.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Ethical approval is not required because individual patient data are not included. The findings of this systematic review were disseminated through peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020142120.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adult; Aromatherapy; Female; Humans; Lavandula; Male; Middle Aged; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Sleep Wake Disorders; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33655928
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024652 -
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban =... Jun 2018To investigate the effect of the aroma therapy and music intervention on anxious and pain for the breast cancer patients in the perioperative period and the potential... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
To investigate the effect of the aroma therapy and music intervention on anxious and pain for the breast cancer patients in the perioperative period and the potential mechanisms. Methods: A total of 100 breast cancer patients who received surgical treatment in the comprehensive hospitals of Hunan province were recruited for this study. Patients were assigned randomly into a control group, an aroma therapy group, a music intervention group, and a joint-therapy group (n=25 per group). The patients in the control group received regular post-surgical nursery, while the patients from other groups received aroma therapy, music intervention, or both in addition to the regular nursery. The scale of anxiety and pain were measured. The measurements were carried at three time points, namely 30 min before the surgery (T1), 30 min after the recovery period of anesthesia (T2), and 4 hours after the removal of anesthesia tubing (T3). Repeated ANOVA was used to perform statistic analysis. Results: The scale of pain was significantly increased at the post-operation (T2, T3) compared to pre-surgery (T1). The therapeutic group showed significant decrease in pain at post-operation (T3) comparing with the control group (P<0.05). The scale of anxiety was the highest at pre-surgery (T1). During anaesthesia recovery, the anxiety of patients at post-operation T2 and T3 in the therapeutic groups significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Both the aroma therapy and the music therapy can decrease the stress-responsive anxiety and pain for the breast cancer patients in the perioperative period.
Topics: Analysis of Variance; Anxiety; Aromatherapy; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Music Therapy; Pain, Postoperative; Perioperative Period; Preoperative Care; Time Factors
PubMed: 30110009
DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2018.06.013 -
Complementary Therapies in Clinical... Aug 2023The purpose of this systematic review is to ascertain the impact of inhalation aromatherapy on stress and anxiety in clinical settings. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this systematic review is to ascertain the impact of inhalation aromatherapy on stress and anxiety in clinical settings.
METHODS
A search strategy was developed using various databases. Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) as well as single and double-blind pilot clinical studies (non-RCT) using inhalation aromatherapy with an essential oil blend or a single essential oil were examined. All studies included a control intervention and use of a validated measurement tool. The time period under review was years 2000-2021. Due to the high level of heterogeneity and element of bias, a narrative synthesis was conducted.
RESULTS
The search strategy initially retrieved 628 studies and through application of the selection criteria and the removal of duplicates, 76 studies were selected for review with a total of 6539 patients. In 42% of the RCTs, physiological measures including vital signs and/or salivary cortisol were used in addition to questionnaires. Over 70% of the studies reported a positive effect on anxiety levels in the aromatherapy intervention groups compared with the control. However, in many cases this is limited by the absence of safety data, imprecise reporting of plant species and dosage of essential oil.
CONCLUSION
Inhalation aromatherapy has the potential to reduce stress and anxiety with data emerging to further support this result across a wide modality of clinical treatments. However, there is a clear need for the development of standard protocols for research in this area, generating measurable results which will create the opportunity for more rigorous evidence-based outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Aromatherapy; Oils, Volatile; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Administration, Inhalation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37031643
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101750 -
Psychogeriatrics : the Official Journal... Dec 2009Recently, the importance of non-pharmacological therapies for dementia has come to the fore. In the present study, we examined the curative effects of aromatherapy in...
OBJECTIVE
Recently, the importance of non-pharmacological therapies for dementia has come to the fore. In the present study, we examined the curative effects of aromatherapy in dementia in 28 elderly people, 17 of whom had Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS
After a control period of 28 days, aromatherapy was performed over the following 28 days, with a wash out period of another 28 days. Aromatherapy consisted of the use of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange in the evening. To determine the effects of aromatherapy, patients were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Gottfries, Brane, Steen scale (GBSS-J), Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's disease (FAST), a revised version of Hasegawa's Dementia Scale (HDS-R), and the Touch Panel-type Dementia Assessment Scale (TDAS) four times: before the control period, after the control period, after aromatherapy, and after the washout period.
RESULTS
All patients showed significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function on both the GBSS-J and TDAS after therapy. In particular, patients with AD showed significant improvement in total TDAS scores. Result of routine laboratory tests showed no significant changes, suggesting that there were no side-effects associated with the use of aromatherapy. Results from Zarit's score showed no significant changes, suggesting that caregivers had no effect on the improved patient scores seen in the other tests.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, we found aromatherapy an efficacious non-pharmacological therapy for dementia. Aromatherapy may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in AD patients.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Aromatherapy; Arousal; Cross-Over Studies; Dementia; Dementia, Vascular; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Lavandula; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Rosmarinus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 20377818
DOI: 10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00299.x -
Experimental Gerontology Jan 2023Constipation is a health problem commonly seen in the elderly individuals. Abdominal massage is thought to stimulate the rectal loading by increasing intra-abdominal... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Constipation is a health problem commonly seen in the elderly individuals. Abdominal massage is thought to stimulate the rectal loading by increasing intra-abdominal pressure.
PURPOSE
To determine effects of aromatherapy massage on constipation in the elderly individuals.
METHODS
Forty eight elderly individuals with constipation were randomized to aromatherapy massage, and control groups. Massage was applied with oil blend to the experimental group during 3 weeks, once a day and lasting 15 min.
RESULTS
During aroma massage and after aroma massage in intervention group, mean scores related to 'defecation number', 'amount of feces' and 'consistency of feces' were increased and these increases were statistically significant. The mean scores related to 'straining during defecation' and 'feeling of incomplete discharge of feces' were decreased.
CONCLUSION
It was determined that aroma massage practice has increased 'frequency of defecation', 'amount of feces' and 'consistency of feces' but decreased the 'straining during defecation' and 'feeling of incomplete discharge of feces'.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Abdomen; Constipation; Massage; Aromatherapy
PubMed: 36372282
DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.112023 -
Iranian Journal of Nursing and... 2020Nausea and vomiting are almost inevitable features of pregnancy which have a serious impact on the quality of life of pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the...
BACKGROUND
Nausea and vomiting are almost inevitable features of pregnancy which have a serious impact on the quality of life of pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the effects of combined inhalation aromatherapy with lemon and peppermint on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted on 90 pregnant women suffering from nausea and vomiting of pregnancy referred to health centers in Birjand-Iran- from February 2015 to August 2016. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. The combined lemon and peppermint essential oils were used as an inhaler for the intervention and the placebo for the control group. Both groups were trained to place three drops of the solution onto a cotton ball and keep it in a 3-cm distance of their nose. The intensity of nausea, vomiting and fatigue was assessed through 24-hour Pregnancy Unique Quantization of Emesis (PUQE-24) questionnaire and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), respectively.
RESULTS
Mean (SD) scores of nausea and vomiting intensity before the intervention and on the first day of intervention were not significantly different between the two groups, but became significant on the second, third, and fourth days of intervention. The results showed that the effect of time on the mean intensity of nausea and vomiting was significant in the aromatherapy group (F = 22.92, < 0.001) but was not significant in the placebo group (F = 0.26, = 0.836).
CONCLUSIONS
The combined lemon and peppermint aromatherapy could reduce mild to moderate intensity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
PubMed: 33344211
DOI: 10.4103/ijnmr.IJNMR_11_19 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020One of the problems of cancer patients is sleep disorder. Given the absence of studies on comparing the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and peppermint on...
One of the problems of cancer patients is sleep disorder. Given the absence of studies on comparing the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and peppermint on the sleep quality of the cancer patients, this study was performed to compare the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with lavender and peppermint essential oils on the sleep quality of cancer patients. For this purpose, 120 patients were randomly allocated to three groups of lavender, peppermint, and control. The intervention groups received three drops of the essential oil for 7 days. In the control group, aromatic distilled water was used instead. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) was used. Before the intervention, no significant difference was observed between the mean PSQI scores of three groups, while the difference was statistically significant after the intervention. The mean PSQI scores were lower in lavender and peppermint groups than in the control group. Aromatherapy can improve the sleep quality of cancer patients. To confirm the findings, more studies should be done.
PubMed: 32308715
DOI: 10.1155/2020/7480204 -
BMC Complementary and Alternative... Nov 2019The chemical composition of many essential oils indicates that they have sedative and hypnotic effects, but there is still a lack of systematic studies on the sedative...
BACKGROUNDS
The chemical composition of many essential oils indicates that they have sedative and hypnotic effects, but there is still a lack of systematic studies on the sedative and hypnotic effects of essential oils. In addition, aromatherapy does not seem to have the side effects of many traditional psychotropic substances, which is clearly worthwhile for further clinical and scientific research. The clinical application of essential oils in aromatherapy has received increasing attention, and detailed studies on the pharmacological activities of inhaled essential oils are increasingly needed.
HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE
As insomniacs are usually accompanied by symptoms of depression and anxiety of varying degrees, based on the theory of aromatherapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this experiment is to study a Compound Anshen essential oil that is compatible with Lavender essential oil, Sweet Orange essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil and other aromatic medicine essential oils with sedative and hypnotic effects, anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects. To study the sedative and hypnotic effects of Compound Anshen essential oil inhaled and the main chemical components of Compound Anshen essential oil, and to compare and analyze the pharmacodynamics of diazepam, a commonly used drug for insomnia.
METHODS
The Open field test and Pentobarbital-induced sleep latency and sleep time experiments were used to analyze and compare the sedative and hypnotic effects of inhaling Compound Anshen essential oil and the administration of diazepam on mice. The changes of 5-HT and GABA in mouse brain were analyzed by Elisa. The main volatile constituents of Compound Anshen essential oil were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
RESULTS
Inhalation of Compound Anshen essential oil can significantly reduce the spontaneous activity of mice, reduce latency of sleeping time and prolong duration of sleeping time. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that Compound Anshen essential oil can increase the content of 5-HT and GABA in mouse brain. The main volatile chemical constituents of the Compound Anshen essential oil are D-limonene (24.07%), Linalool (21.98%), Linalyl acetate (15.37%), α-Pinene (5.39%), and α-Santalol (4.8%).
CONCLUSION
The study found that the inhalation of Compound Anshen essential oil has sedative and hypnotic effect. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research and development of the sedative and hypnotic effects of Compound Anshen essential oil based on the theory of aromatherapy.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Animals; Aromatherapy; Brain; Citrus sinensis; Female; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Lavandula; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Santalum; Serotonin; Sleep; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
PubMed: 31711477
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2732-0