The Effects of Aromatherapy on Sleep Improvement: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Publication: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Volume 21, Issue Number 2
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the existing data on aromatherapy interventions for improvement of sleep quality.
Design: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effects of aromatherapy.
Study Sources: Electronic databases, including the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS), Korean studies Information Service System (KISS), National Assembly Library, and eight academies within the Korean Society of Nursing Science, were searched to identify studies published between 2000 and August 2013.
Study Selection: Randomized controlled and quasi-experimental trials that included aromatherapy for the improvement of sleep quality. Of the 245 publications identified, 13 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 12 studies were used in the meta-analysis.
Results: Meta-analysis of the 12 studies using a random-effects model revealed that the use of aromatherapy was effective in improving sleep quality (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.540–1.745; Z=3.716). Subgroup analysis revealed that inhalation aromatherapy (95% CI, 0.792–1.541; Z=6.107) was more effective than massage therapy (95% CI, 0.128–2.166; Z=2.205) in unhealthy (95% CI, 0.248–1.100; Z=3.100) and healthy (95% CI, 0.393–5.104; Z=2.287) participants, respectively.
Conclusion: Readily available aromatherapy treatments appear to be effective and promote sleep. Thus, it is essential to develop specific guidelines for the efficient use of aromatherapy.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Moul DE, Nofzinger EA, Pilkonis PA, Houck PR, Miewald JM, Buysse DJ. Symptom reports in severe chronic insomnia. Sleep 2002;25:553–563.
2.
Seo HS, Sohng K. The effects of footbaths on sleep and fatigue in older Korean adults. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 2011;18:488–496.
3.
Kim HY. Sleep disorders in post menopausal women. J Korean Soc Menopause 2007;13:1–7.
4.
Lerner R. Sleep loss in the aged: implications for nursing practice. J Abnorm Psychol 1982;72:255–264.
5.
Buckle J. Clinical aromatherapy and touch: complementary therapies for nursing practice. Crit Care Nurse 1998;18:54–61.
6.
Park S, Park K, Ko Y, et al. The effects of aroma inhalation therapy on fatigue and sleep in nurse shift workers. J East-West Nurs Res 2012;18:66–73.
7.
Buckle J. Literature review: Should nursing take aromatherapy more seriously? Br J Nurs 2007;16:116–120.
8.
Kim SM. The effects of aromatherapy and hand massage on anxiety, sleep, and depression in the female aged at residential facilities. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs 2009;20:493–502.
9.
Kim OJ, Kim KH, Park KS. The effects of aroma inhalation on stress, anxiety and sleep pattern in patients with hemodialysis. Clin Nurs Res 2007;13:99–111.
10.
Choi E, Lee K. Effects of aroma inhalation on blood pressure, pulse rate, sleep, stress, and anxiety in patients with essential hypertension. J Korean Biol Nurs Sci 2012;14:41–48.
11.
Won SJ, Chae YR. The effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, sleep, and stride length in the elderly knee osteoarthritis. J Korean Biol Nurs Sci 2011;13:142–148.
12.
Lee I, Lee G. Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students. J Korean Acad Nurs 2006;36:136–143.
13.
Chang SB, Chu SH, Kim YI, Yun SH. The effects of aroma inhalation on sleep fatigue in night shift nurses. Korean J Adults Nurs 2008;20:941–949.
14.
Lee SY. The effect of aromatherapy hand massage on cognitive function, sleep disturbance and problematic behaviors of elderly with dementia. J Korean Clin Nurs Res 2008;14:115–126.
15.
Choi I. Effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, physical function, sleep disturbance and depression in elderly women with osteoarthritis. Korean J Women Health Nurs 2006;12:168–176.
16.
McMaster University Evidence-Based Practice Research Group. Guideline for critical review form – Qualitative studies. 2008. Available at: http://www.srs-cmaster.ca/ResearchResourcesnbsp/ResearchGroups/CentreforEvidenceBasedRehabilitation/EvidenceBasedPracticeResearchGroup/tabid/630/Default.aspx. Accessed August 2013.
17.
Higgins JP, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. Br Med J 2003;327:557–560.
18.
Higgins J, Green S. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of intervention version 5.1.0. The Cochrane Collaboration. Available at: http://www.cochrane-handbook.org. Accessed August 2013.
19.
Egger M, Davey Smith G, Schneider M, Minder C. Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. Br Med J 1997;315:629–634.
20.
Baek Y, Yoo J, Lee S, Jin H. Domestic trends of research and patient for sleep disorder. J Korean Contents Assoc 2013;13:309–317.
21.
Roh KH, Park H. A meta-analysis of the effects of aromatherapy on psychological variables in nursing. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs 2009;20:113–122.
22.
Edell-Gustafsson UM, Kritz EI, Bogren IK. Self-reported sleep quality, strain and health in relation to perceived working conditions in females. Scand J Caring Sci 2002;16:179–187.
23.
Han K, Park E, Park Y, et al. Factors influencing sleep quality in clinical nurses. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2011;20:121–131.
24.
Lee HY, Kim SY. The trends of nursing research on aromatherapy in Korea. J East-West Nurs Res 2010;16:85–95.
25.
Cooksley VG. Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing With Essential Oil. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Press; 2001.
26.
Lee J. Systematic review on aroma massage [master's thesis]. Gyeongbuk: Daegu Haany University; 2012.
27.
Min YC. A Meta-analysis of intervention effectiveness applied to pain of cancer patients. Seoul: Sahmyook University; 2011.
28.
Wang C, Sun Y, Zang H. Music therapy improves sleep quality in acute and chronic sleep disorders: a meta-analysis of 10 randomized studies. Int J Nurs Stud 2014;51:51–62.
29.
Yang P, Ho K, Chen H, Chien M. Exercise training improves sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults with sleep problems: a systematic review. J Physiother 2012;58:157–163.
30.
Sarris J, Byrne GJ. A systematic review of insomnia and complementary medicine. Sleep Med Rev 2011;15:99–106.
31.
Park S, Yang M, Kim O, et al. The effects of aroma therapy on sleep disorder patients with musculoskeletal pain. J Oriental Rehab Med 2010;20:215–230.
32.
Seo SY, Chang SY. Effects of aroma hand massage on sleep, depression and quality of life in the institutionalized elderly women. Korean J Women Health Nurs 2009;15:372–380.
33.
Yang HJ, Kang H, Kim I. The effects of aroma foot reflex massage on sleep, depression and problem behaviors on elderly with dementia. Korean J Adult Nurs 2011;23:574–583.
34.
Lee SO, Hwang JH. Effects of aroma inhalation method on subjective quality of sleep, state anxiety, and depression in mothers following Cesarean section delivery. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 2011;18:54–62.
35.
Lee JE, Lee YW, Kim H. Effects of aroma hand massage on the stress response and sleep of elderly inpatients. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 2011;18:480–487.
36.
Jung H, Jeon Y. Effects of the aroma massage on shoulder pain, depression, sleep disturbance in hemiparesis patients. Korean J Refabil Nurs 2004;7:231–237.
37.
Hwang JH, Lee SO, Kim YK. Effects of thermotherapy combined with aromatherapy on pain, flexibility, sleep, and depression in elderly women with osteoarthritis. J Muscle Joint Health 2011;18:192–202.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Volume 21 • Issue Number 2 • February 2015
Pages: 61 - 68
PubMed: 25584799
Copyright
Copyright 2015, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
History
Published online: 16 February 2015
Published in print: February 2015
Published ahead of print: 13 January 2015
Topics
Authors
Author Disclosure Statement
No relevant financial relationships exist.
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Export Citation
Export citation
Select the format you want to export the citations of this publication.
View Options
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.⚠ Society Access
If you are a member of a society that has access to this content please log in via your society website and then return to this publication.