Purpose
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy interventions on stroke symptoms in stroke patients.
Methods
This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Relevant studies published between 2004 and 2022 were searched in the PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, ERIC, and RISS databases. The review included randomized and non-randomized studies of stroke patients who received aromatherapy interventions targeting stroke symptoms. The extracted literature was evaluated via the ROB 2 and ROBINS-1 quality appraisal checklists and visualized using a risk-of-bias visualization tool.
Results
The review included five randomized controlled trials and five quasi-experimental studies. The results showed that aromatherapy, administered through massage, inhalation, acupressure, mouth care, and olfactory stimulation, was effective in alleviating pain, constipation, oral health, motor power, muscle strength, balance, fatigue, and sleep quality. Aromatherapy also demonstrated beneficial effects in reducing depression, stress, delirium, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, serum cortisol, and antioxidants, while enhancing happiness, body temperature, and quality of life. A meta-analysis of mean differences in post-test results revealed that three studies reported a significant effect on pain, with an effect size of 1.85 (95% CI, 0.18~3.51).
Conclusion
Aromatherapy had positive effects on physical, physiological, psychological, cognitive, and integrative health outcomes. We recommend the use of aromatherapy in stroke patients to improve pain relief and health outcomes.

Citations

• Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in the management of ischemic stroke: a narrative review
  S. Sowmiya, Rukaiah Fatma Begum, L. S. Dhivya, Praveen Rajendran, N. Harikrishnan, Ankul Singh S
  Frontiers in Pharmacology.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to compare and verify the effects of aroma essential oil inhalation and music listening on stress response, vital signs, and bispectral index. Methods In a randomized controlled trial design, the participants consisted of healthy adults aged 20~50 years who were randomly assigned to the Aroma essential oil inhalation Group (AG), Music Listening Group (MLG), or control group. The AG inhaled aroma essential oil for 10 minutes, the MLG listened to music for 10 minutes, and the control group took a break for 10 minutes. Stressors introduced to the participants included 70 dB of white noise and an arithmetic calculation. Results The perceived stress was significantly different between three groups at 10 minutes and 30 minutes after the intervention. The stress responses of the AG and MLG were significantly lower than that of the control group. At 10 minutes and 30 minutes after the intervention, there were significant differences in the Bispectral index (BIS) between three groups, and the BIS of the AG and MLG were significantly lower than that of the control group. At 30 minutes after the intervention, the stress index, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate were significantly different between three groups. Conclusion Aroma essential oil inhalation and music listening are effective nursing interventions as they reduce stress, stabilize vital signs, and have sedative effects in healthy adults who perceive stress.

Citations

• Effect of Healing Beats Program on Stress, Heart Rate and Sleep Quality of Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
  Eun-Jeong Hong
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2024; 24(1): 32.     CrossRef
• Comparative effects of music therapy and aromatherapy on stress, quality of life, and happiness among shift nurses in Korea: a randomized controlled trial
  So-heun Lee, Won-jong Kim, Eun-Hi Choi, Myung-Haeng Hur
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2024; 26(4): 337.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study aimed to compare the effects of hand massage with the preferred aroma oil to those of hand massage with lavender oil on stress and sleep in residents at a long-term care facility.
METHODS
A group randomized controlled design was used. Of the 37 participants, 19 were assigned to the experimental group(hand massage with the preferred aroma oil) and 18 to the control group(hand massage with lavender oil). Data collection was performed from Nov. 26 2016 to Jan. 27 2017. Hand massage was offered for 5 minutes each side 3 times a week for a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire and sleep was measured using the Verran and Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale.
RESULTS
Subjects in the experimental group showed significantly lower stress levels (physical stress, t=−2.10, p=.048; psychological stress, t=−4.41, p<.001) and sleep (t=3.37, p=.002) than those in the control group.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that aromatherapy with hand massage should consider client aroma preference for elderly at long-term care facilities in the future.

Citations

• Effects of Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Hye-Ja Gu, Oi-Sun Lee
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2023; 20(4): 3101.     CrossRef
• The Effect of Lavender on Sleep Quality in Individuals Without Insomnia
  Tzu-Ying Chen, Akiko Hiyama, Masumi Muramatsu, Atsuko Hinotsu
  Holistic Nursing Practice.2022; 36(4): 223.     CrossRef
• The effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  Tina Ghavami, Mohsen Kazeminia, Fatemeh Rajati
  Complementary Therapies in Medicine.2022; 68: 102832.     CrossRef
• The effect of aromatherapy hand massage on distress and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial
  Dilek Efe Arslan, Nazan Kılıç Akça
  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.2020; 39: 101136.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of using aroma essential oils on allergic symptoms, eosinophils and quality of life related to rhinitis for university students with allergic rhinitis.
METHODS
A randomized controlled experimental design was used. There were 37 participants in the experimental group, and 30 in the control group. The experimental group applied the essential oils four times a day in the nasal area as well as using inhalation of the oils each night for four weeks. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire was composed of 28 questions regarding seven areas associated with allergic reactions. The data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 21.0 program.
RESULTS
Rhinitis symptom index, nose itching (p<.001), sneezing (p<.001), watery rhinorrhea (p<.001), and nose congestion (p<.001) all had significant difference for the participants in the treatment group. Further there were significant differences in eosinophils both for measured time and interaction (p<.001). For the quality of life related to rhinitis, the results showed significant difference (p<.001).
CONCLUSION
Using aroma therapy by applying essential oils turned out to be an effective nursing intervention that can be utilized in the easing of allergic symptom and the decrease of eosinophils, causing improvement in the quality of life related to rhinitis.

Citations

• The effects of mask applied aromatherapy on allergic rhinitis symptoms, fatigue, and quality of life related to allergic rhinitis in the COVID-19 era: a randomized controlled trial
  Jihoo Her, Myung-Haeng Hur
  Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2024; 26(3): 177.     CrossRef
• Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Symptoms and Quality of Life of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis
  Hyesuk Lee, Hyojung Park
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2018; 25(3): 197.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma foot reflexology massage on mood states specifically depression and brain waves of elderly women with osteoarthritis.
METHODS
The study was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The participants were 62 elderly women with osteoarthritis. The instruments were the Korean-Profile of Mood States-Brief for mood states and 8-channel EEG (Electroencephalogram) system for brain waves. Data were collected from March to May, 2012. Twenty-six participants were assigned to the treatment group and twenty-six to the comparison group. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 17.0 version program, and included descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANCOVA. The intervention was conducted three times a week for two weeks.
RESULTS
There were significantly improvement in reported depression. s. Brain waves (EEG) increased significantly in F3, T3 of alpha wave and in F4, T3, and P4 of beta wave between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Aroma foot reflexology massage can be utilized as an effective intervention to decrease depression of mood states, increase of alpha, and beta brain wave on woman elderly with osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is difference in the effects of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea by research design.
METHODS
Findings from the two different research designs (Nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest [NCG] design vs. two-group crossover design) were compared in regard to the effect of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea. The subjects of the NCG design and the crossover design were a total of 58 female nursing students. The treatments (aroma essential oil inhalation and carrier oil inhalation) were given using a necklace. The data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, t-test, Mann-Whitney test, paired t-test, and Shapiro-Wilk test using the SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. The effect size for the two research designs was calculated.
RESULTS
In both research designs, the level of dysmenorrhea and menstrual pain after the aroma treatment were not significantly different from those after the placebo treatment. The effect size of the NCG design was higher than that of the crossover design.
CONCLUSION
Aroma inhalation may not be effective in managing dysmenorrhea and menstrual pain. In order to further clarify the efficiency of research design and the effect of aromatherapy on discomfort during menstruation, replication studies are necessary. Future studies need to examine the effects of different research design on non-interval variables.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to describe the effects of aroma inhalation on sleep and fatigue in night shift nurses.
METHODS
The research design was one group pre-posttest design. The subjects were 17 night shift nurses who work at neurosurgery intensive care unit of K hospital of C university in Seoul. During three consequent night shifts, the participants were worn the Actigraph to measure the sleep pattern on their wrist since their first night shift work. The quality of sleep and fatigue was measured by survey when they awoke at 6 pm after second night shift work. And these measures were repeated during the night shifts in second and third week. Aroma inhalation was applied before going to bed after finishing each night shift work during second and third week. SPSS 12.0 program was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences in sleep latency and total sleeping time. However, significant differences were found in the sleep efficiency, awakening number, sleep quality, subjective symptom and intensity of fatigue.
CONCLUSION
These results showed that aroma inhalation had positive effects on the pattern and quality of sleep and reducing fatigue in night shift nurses.

PURPOSE
This study was to examine the effects of aroma hand massage on pruritus, fatigue and stress of the patients undergoing hemodialysis.
METHODS
This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Study sample was conveniently recruited from two hospitals(28 for experimental and 30 for control group). The experimental group went through aroma hand massage on hand without AVF for 5 min for 12 times mixed with Lavender, Chamomile and Geranium oils in the ratio of 4 : 4 : 2, which was diluted 3% with sweet almond crrier oil 100 ml. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 12.0.
RESULTS
The 1st hypothesis, 'Experimental group who has received aroma hand massage will have lower rate of pruritus than the control group' was accepted(t = -5.084, p = .001). The 2nd hypothesis, 'Experimental group who has received aroma hand massage will have lower rate of fatigue than the control group' was accepted(t = -2.557, p = .015). The 3rd hypothesis, 'Experimental group who has received aroma hand massage will have lower rate of stress than the control group' was accepted(t = -5.537, p = .001).
CONCLUSION
The aroma hand massage has shown to be an effective nursing intervention to reduce the pruritus, fatigue and stress among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, the massage is needed to continuously be applied to hemodialysis patients to improve their quality of life.

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to examine the effects of aroma-therapy combined with heat application on pain, ROM of lower limb joints, and discomfort from activities of daily living(ADL) among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS
Aroma blended oil was rubbed over the knees and ankles of 19 experimental group A and 20 B, and then heat therapy was given using an electric hot & wet poultice pad to only group A. There was no treatment on the 19 control group. There was measured for pain, ROM of lower limb joints and discomfort of ADL. The data was analyzed using SPSS/WIN 11.0 program.
RESULTS
In comparing the effects of pain reduction by time, the ROM of lower limb joints, and discomfort of ADL, there were significant differences among three groups. There was no significant difference between experimental group in pain scale by time, range of ROM of knee and ankle joint and discomfort of ADL.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of results, aroma-therapy can be applied as a nursing intervention to reduce pain for not only rheumatoid arthritis patients but also for other patients with other diseases.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain, anxiety, and depression in female college students.
METHODS
A two-group cross-over design was used. The sample included a total of 20 female students who were enrolled in a 3 year nursing program. The treatments(aroma essential oil inhalation and the placebo inhalation) were given using a necklace. The data were analyzed by chi-square-test, paired t-test, and Mann-Whitney test using SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
The level of dysmenorrhea after the aroma treatment was not significantly different from the dysmenorrhea levels at pre-test and after the post-placebo treatment. The menstrual pain, anxiety and depression significantly improved after the aroma treatment. However, the levels of pain, anxiety, and depression after the aroma treatment were not significantly different from those after the placebo treatment.
CONCLUSION
Aroma inhalation may be a effective in managing menstrual pain, anxiety, and depression. In order to further clarify the effect of aroma treatment on discomfort during menstruation, replication studies are necessary. Future studies need to examine the effects of different types of essential oils, administrating methods, and the lasting time of aroma treatment effect.

PURPOSE
The study was done to analyze the effects of aroma inhalation method on preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients.
METHODS
The research design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. The data were collected from July 25 to October 21, 2005 at C Medical Center in Seoul. The patients were divided into two group of 24 subjects each. In order for measuring the all patient's anxiety before operation and aroma inhalation, Spidlberger(1975) trait anxiety, VAS(visual analogue scale) state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were taken. After experimental group was taken aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety, blood pressure, pulse rate were measured for two group.
RESULTS
After aroma inhalation, VAS state anxiety level, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate of the experimental group were decreased significantly than those of control group(p = .000, p = .000, p = .030. p = .000).
CONCLUSION
The aroma inhalation method can be considered an effective nursing intervention that relieves the preoperative anxiety of abdominal surgical patients and stabilizes vital signs.

PURPOSE
To identify the effects of the aromatherapy on stress of nurses working in operating room.
METHODS
The study design was nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 45 nurses working in the operating room. Experimental group were 24 nurses in G Hospital and control group were 21 nurses in U Hospital. All of the subjects were measured of the subjective stress, stress responses and the job stress. For aromatherapy, lavender, bergamot, and ylang were mixed in the ratio of 2:2:1.
RESULTS
1) "The subjective stress of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-2.70, p=.01). 2) "The stress responses of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-2.49, p=.01). 3) "The job stress of experimental group is lower than that of the control group" was supported(t=-7.97, p=.00).
CONCLUSION
This study suggested that such aroma inhalation method could be effective on stress of nurses working in operating room.

PURPOSE
The Purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of aromatherapy massage on the preoperative anxiety of stomach cancer patients.
METHOD
The research design was a nonequivalent control group non synchronized design. The data were collected during the period of October 2 to December 30, 2005 at H Hospital in Seoul. The subjects were 40 patients who were operated under general anesthesia for stomach cancer. State anxiety, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate were measured on the day before surgery and the preoperative period. Data were analyzed by chi-square test, independent t-test, paired t-test.
RESULTS
Hypothesis 1 that the level of preoperative state anxiety of the experimental group who received aromatherapy massage is lower than that of the control group who did not received aromatherapy was supported(p=.004). Hypothesis 2 the physiological index of the preoperative anxiety of the experimental group who received aroma-therapy is lower than that of the control group who did not received aromatherapy.
CONCLUSION
According to these results, aromatherapy hand massage can be regarded as a partially effective nursing intervention that relives anxiety of surgical patients and decreases the blood pressure level.

PURPOSE
This study was designed to verify effects of perineal care with aroma essential oil on urinary tract infection(UTI) in patients with indwelling urinary catheter.
METHOD
The research design was non equivalent control group pretest-post test design. The data were collected from March to August, 2005 at C university hospital in Seoul. The subjects were 43 patients who had a indwelling catheter in neurosurgery intensive care unit(NSICU). They were assigned to two groups, 21 subjects to the experimental group and 22 subjects to the control group. The experimental group received perineal care with 3% blending essential oil for 4 days.
RESULTS
In the experimental group, white blood cells and bacteria in urine were significantly lower than control group. Bacteria in urine culture was lower in the experimental group at post test.
CONCLUSION
Perineal care with aroma essential oil could be an effective intervention to reduce the UTI of patients in NSICU.

This study was designed to verify the effect of aromatherapy on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea by a quasi experiment (nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design), from March to October, 2000. The subjects of this experiment consisted of 45 college women with menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea. They were randomized by 25 for the experimental group and 20 for the control group. Their mean age was 20.6 years, mean menstrual period 28.7 days, mean menstrual cramps(VAS) 7.25, mean dysmenorrhea (Dysmenorrhea Scale) was 27.34. As treatment, aromatherapy was to give effleurrage of the abdomen with lavender, clary sage and rose as aroma oil, almond oil as carrier oil. For the control group, abdominal massage was given with only almond oil. Data collection included menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms(low abdominal pain, lumbago, headache, nausea, fatigue, edema). Menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea and general, menstrual characteristics of subjects were measured the first day of the pre menstrual period before treatment (pre-test), menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea, the change of symptoms were measured the first and second day of post menstrual period after treatment (posttest). Data were analyzed by t-test, X2-test, repeated measures ANOVA, Cronbach's alpha with SAS Program. The results of this study was as follows; 1. Menstrual cramps was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .001). 2. Dysmenorrhea was significantly lower in the experimental group(p = .027). 3.Less women in the experimental group complained about the six symptoms than women in the control group after treatment on the first day of the menstrual period(p <0.05, p <0.01) In conclusion, these findings indicate that aromatherapy with lavender, clary sage, and rose could be effective to decrease menstrual cramps, and dysmenorrhea. So, aromatherapy could be applied to women suffering with menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhea periodically as an nursing intervention.