Objective To explore the feasibility and efficacy of the training program for aromatherapy in palliative care. Methods Data from four aromatherapy training programs held at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2016 to 2019 was collected.The feasibility and efficacy of the training were measured based on the self-reported questionnaires from 120 trainees. Results A total of 56 valid questionnaires were collected.The total score of the programs was 8.09.Trainees reported that the program enriched theoretical knowledge and enhanced practical confidence.After the training,79.6% of the trainees carried out aromatherapy in practice,while those who failed to practice were mainly due to the lack of appropriate opportunities.Some trainees suggested adding more practice hours and hoped to get follow-up guidance on a case-by-case basis. Conclusions It is feasible to carry out the short-term training program of aromatherapy in palliative care,which can enrich trainees' theoretical knowledge and enhance the practical confidence.It is necessary to provide continuous guidance after training to increase the proportion of trainees adopting aromatherapy in palliative care practice.
Humans ; Palliative Care ; Aromatherapy ; Feasibility Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Although lavender is purported to possess anxiolytic and sedative properties and is often recommended for relieving anxiety, the efficacy of lavender has not been well established. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy.METHODS: Ten data bases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2018. Randomized controlled trials investigating the anxiolytic effects of lavender aromatherapy with any type of application for persons with or without clinical anxiety were included. The outcome variables included self-rated anxiety, vital signs, and salivary cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA) levels. In the meta-analysis, standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated as effect measures by applying the random effect model and inverse variance method.RESULTS: Twenty-two trials met our inclusion criteria. Lavender aromatherapy was found to have favorable effects in relieving anxiety (Hedges' ĝ = −0.65; 95% CI, −0.84 to −0.46) and decreasing systolic blood pressure (ĝ = −0.22; 95% CI, −0.43 to −0.02), heart rate (ĝ = −0.53; 95% CI, −0.74 to −0.32), and salivary cortisol (ĝ = −1.29; 95% CI, −2.23 to −0.35) and CgA (ĝ = −2.29; 95% CI, −3.24 to −1.34) levels. However, the meta-analysis did not reveal any significant effects of lavender on diastolic blood pressure (effect size: −0.17; 95% CI, −0.37e0.04).CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy using lavender oil might have favorable effects on anxiety and its physiological manifestations. Future studies are recommended with an emphasis on methodological quality. In nursing practice, it is suggested that lavender aromatherapy be included in programs intended to manage anxiety in patients across diverse healthcare settings.
Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Anxiety ; Aromatherapy ; Blood Pressure ; Chromogranin A ; Delivery of Health Care ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Lavandula ; Methods ; Nursing ; Vital Signs

No abstract available.
Aromatherapy ; Knee ; Massage ; Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: The use of aroma oils dates back to at least 3000 B.C., where it was applied to mummify corpses and treat the wounds of soldiers. Since the 1920s, the term “aromatherapy” has been used for fragrance therapy with essential oils. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the essential oil of Eucalyptus (EOE) affects pain pathways in various pain conditions and motor coordination. METHODS: Mice were subjected to inhalation or intraperitoneal injection of EOE, and its analgesic effects were assessed by conducting formalin, thermal plantar, and acetic acid tests; the effects of EOE on motor coordination were evaluated using a rotarod test. To determine the analgesic mechanism, 5′-guanidinonaltrindole (κ-opioid antagonist, 0.3 mg/kg), naltrindole (δ-opioid antagonist, 5 mg/kg), glibenclamide (δ-opioid antagonist, 2 mg/kg), and naloxone (μ-opioid antagonist, 4, 8, 12 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. RESULTS: EOE showed an analgesic effect against visceral pain caused by acetic acid (EOE, 45 mg/kg); however, no analgesic effect was observed against thermal nociceptive pain. Moreover, it was demonstrated that EOE did not have an effect on motor coordination. In addition, an anti-inflammatory effect was observed during the formalin test. CONCLUSIONS: EOE, which is associated with the μ-opioid pain pathway, showed potential effects against somatic, inflammatory, and visceral pain and could be a potential therapeutic agent for pain.
Acetic Acid ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Aromatherapy ; Cadaver ; Eucalyptus ; Formaldehyde ; Glyburide ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Mice ; Military Personnel ; Naloxone ; Narcotic Antagonists ; Nociceptive Pain ; Oils ; Oils, Volatile ; Pain Measurement ; Rotarod Performance Test ; Visceral Pain ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of aromatherapy on agitation in patients with dementia using a meta-analysis and systemic literature review. METHODS: The EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and other databases were searched up to November 2017. RESULTS: Of 419 publications identified, 12 met inclusion criteria, and 9 studies were used to estimate the effect size of aromatherapy. A total of 837 participants across all studies were included. The commonly applied methods were massage (50%), type of oil lavender (75%), and instrument Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (75%). A medium effect size of aromatherapy on agitation was identified (d=−0.56, I2=65.0%, p=.001). The massage group has lower effect size than the other group (d=−0.98, I2=0.0%, p=.001). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy appears to be effective in improving agitation in patients with dementia. However, further studies for home-dwelling patients with dementia and with different types of aroma oil should be conducted in the future. In addition, research with well-designed are needed to assess the effects or aromatherapy on agitation.
Aromatherapy ; Dementia ; Dihydroergotamine ; Humans ; Lavandula ; Massage ; Psychomotor Agitation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of aroma hand massage on stress, fatigue, and sleep in sophomore nursing students. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent control group and a pre-post test was used. Thirty-seven sophomore nursing students were recruited. The experimental group (n=18) underwent 40 minutes aroma hand massage which was provided by the research assistant. The research assistant was trained with a video clip for aroma hand massage that was developed by Korea Aroma Association. Aroma oil contained lavender essential oil and sweet orange oil mixed with a jojoba oil base. The control group (n=19) did not receive any other treatments related aroma and massage. RESULTS: Significant improvements were exhibited in scores for stress (t=−2.61, p=.013) and fatigue in the experimental group (t=−2.05, p=.047) compared to the control group. However, differences in sleep between two groups were not statistically significant (t=1.23, p=.277) between two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that aroma hand massage could be useful to decrease stress and fatigue levels for sophomore nursing students. Therefore, results of this study can be used as a basis of health care programs for reducing stress of nursing students.
Aromatherapy ; Citrus sinensis ; Delivery of Health Care ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Fatigue ; Hand ; Humans ; Korea ; Lavandula ; Massage ; Nursing ; Students, Nursing

OBJECTIVES: The present systematic review was conducted to compare the effect of lavender on the quality of sleep, sexual desire, and vasomotor, psychological and physical symptoms among menopausal and elderly women. METHODS: There were five electronic databases which selected to search respective articles which included were Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library without any language restriction since the study inception to March 10, 2018. The quality of studies was assessed in accordance with a jaded scale. RESULTS: According to three trials, the lavender as utilized in a capsule form or aromatherapy could significantly improve the measured Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (P < 0.05) in the menopausal and elderly women. The aromatherapy with lavender improved sexual function (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), and physical (P < 0.001) symptoms. Based on a trial, 66.7%, 70.0%, and 53.3% of subjects reported feelings of relaxation, happiness, and cleanness effects of having used lavender respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested the effectiveness of the use of lavender either in capsule form or aromatherapy on the improved quality of sleep, depression, anxiety, sexual desire, and psychological and physical symptoms. These results, however, should be interpreted with caution considering the limitations of the study.
Aged ; Anxiety ; Aromatherapy ; Depression ; Female ; Happiness ; Hot Flashes ; Humans ; Lavandula ; Libido ; Menopause ; Relaxation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality.METHODS: This is a systematic review of randomized controlled trial studies (PROSPERO registration number CRD42017064519). In this study, the PICO were adults and the elderly, aromatherapy intervention, a comparative intervention with the control and placebo oil groups, and sleep. The selected articles were in English, Korean, and Chinese.RESULTS: The results of the meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of the experimental group were 1.03 (n=763, SMD=1.03, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.39) (Z=5.47, p<.001). In the aromatherapy intervention group, the effect size of sleep was statistically significant (Q(B)=9.39, df=2, p=.009), with a difference of 0.77 for inhalation, 1.12 for oral intake and 2.05 for massage. A post-analysis showed that the effect of massage on sleep was significantly greater than the inhalation method. The regression coefficient of the intervention period, B=0.01 (Z=1.43, p=.154), also showed that the longer the intervention period, the larger the effect size; however, it was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION: A total of 23 literature analyses showed that aromatherapy is effective in improving quality of sleep, and the massage method is more effective in improving quality of sleep than the inhalation method. A meta-ANOVA showed that the aromatherapy intervention affected the high heterogeneity of the effect size. Thus, future research with stricter control in methods and experimental procedures is necessary.
Adult ; Aged ; Aromatherapy ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Massage ; Methods ; Population Characteristics

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.
Analysis of Variance ; Anxiety ; therapy ; Aromatherapy ; Breast Neoplasms ; nursing ; psychology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Music Therapy ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Perioperative Period ; Preoperative Care ; Time Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aromatherapy on stress responses, autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, and blood pressure in patients hospitalized to receive coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: A non-equivalent control group with a pretestposttest design was used. The subjects were patients admitted to the day angiography room to receive CAG at E University Hospital (34 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group). The experimental group treatment was inhalation of the aroma oil blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, and neroli at a ratio of 4:2:1 twice before and after CAG. The measurements of stress index, ANS activity, and blood pressure were performed 5 times as follows: at admission, at pre-CAG after treatment I, at post-CAG, 2 hours after treatment II, and 4 hours after treatment II. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U Test and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant interactions in the high frequency of ANS (F=5.58, p=.005) were observed between group and time. Stress index (z=2.14, p=.016), systolic blood pressure (z=4.14, p < .005), and diastolic blood pressure (z=3.28, p=.001) were significantly different between the experimental and control groups after 4 hours of treatment II. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that aromatherapy was not effective before CAG, but was effective after CAG. Therefore, aromatherapy can be used as a nursing intervention for patients receiving CAG.
Angiography ; Aromatherapy ; Autonomic Nervous System ; Blood Pressure ; Cananga ; Coronary Angiography ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lavandula ; Nursing