Effects of Aroma Massage on Home Blood Pressure, Ambulatory Blood Pressure, and Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Women with Hypertension

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of aroma massage applied to middle-aged women with hypertension. The research study had a nonequivalent control group, nonsynchronized design to investigate the effect on home blood pressure (BP), ambulatory BP, and sleep. The hypertensive patients were allocated into the aroma massage group (n = 28), the placebo group (n = 28), and the no-treatment control group (n = 27). To evaluate the effects of aroma massage, the experimental group received a massage with essential oils prescribed by an aromatherapist once a week and body cream once a day. The placebo group received a massage using artificial fragrance oil once a week and body cream once a day. BP, pulse rate, sleep conditions, and 24-hour ambulatory BP were monitored before and after the experiment. There was a significant difference in home systolic blood pressure (SBP) (F = 6.71, P = 0.002) between groups after intervention. There was also a significant difference in SBP (F = 13.34, P = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (F = 8.46, P = 0.005) in the laboratory between aroma massage and placebo groups. In sleep quality, there was a significant difference between groups (F = 6.75, P = 0.002). In conclusion, aroma massage may help improve patient quality of life and maintain health as a nursing intervention in daily life.

Effects of Massage on Blood Pressure in Patients With Hypertension and Prehypertension

“…Five studies involved using Swedish massage therapy, 12,13,15,17,18 1 study involved therapeutic chair massage therapy, 16 1 study used light-touch and stroking-type massage, 19 and 2 studies were unclear about the massage type. 14,20 The areas massaged were categorized as the whole body, the head, the neck, and back area (including the face, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and back). In terms of control conditions, 4 studies used active control groups 16Y18,20 and 5 studies used inactive control groups.…”

The Effectiveness of Essential Oils for Patients with Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…48,49 Marjoram oil activates the parasympathetic nervous system, relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, and helps protect against generalized myoclonic seizures in humans. 23,50,51 Hajhashemi et al (2003) proposed the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of 1,8-cineole, a terpenoid oxide occurring in lavender essential oil. 52 Yip and Tse provided eight sessions of acupuncture point stimulation, followed by aromatic lavender oil application, to a group of participants and reported no adverse effects and the short-term relief of lower back pain.…”

“…[19][20][21] Previous studies have evaluated the effectiveness of aromatic therapies by measuring blood pressure, heart beat, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels. 8,20,[22][23][24] In aromatherapy, essential oils derived from plants are added to a base massage oil or unscented lotion. The essential oils are claimed to exhibit a wide range of medicinal properties and to affect wound healing, infection, and blood circulation.…”

Comparison of the Effects of Aromatherapy with Rose and Lavender on Physiological Parameters of Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery: A Clinical Trial

“…There are several studies regarding the effects of aromatherapy on anxiety, pain, vital signs, sleep quality, nausea, and stress (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). In this regard, Jung et al showed that ylang-ylang fragrance can remarkably influence systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decrease heart rate in male athletes (20).…”