The effect of aromatherapy massage on mild depression: A pilot study

Abstract

Japan. Detailed explanations of the project were given to each patient and all patients signed informed consent forms prior to participating.This study was carried out in five patients aged 31-59 years, with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV classification of 296.21 Major Depressive Disiorder, Single Episode, Mild (not including psychotic features). One of these patients was male. None of the patients used antidepressants or received psychotherapy. Each received a 30-min aromatherapy massage using essential oils of sweet orange, geranium and basil twice per week for 4 weeks. To examine response to the therapy, patients were submitted to the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) 1 week before the first session and 1 week after the last session. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST). Effects of aromatherapy massage were mutually examined using Wilcoxon mached pairs signed test.Our results were as follows. All data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and were analyzed with Wilcoxon matched pairs signed test.HAM score and the confusion-bewilderment (C-B) score, which is one of the subscales of POMS, were significantly improved from 14.8 ± 2.39 to 8.8 ± 3.63 ( P = 0.039) and 62.2 ± 13.07 to 51.6 ± 8.05 ( P = 0.043), respectively. These results suggest a subjective and objective improvement in depressive states. Especially, C-B indicates subjective disturbances in cognition and thought.Number of errors, perseverative errors and perseverative responses of WCST significantly decreased from 24.4 ± 3.97 to 17.2 ± 3.19 ( P = 0.042), 15.6 ± 5.03 to 10.2 ± 2.17 ( P = 0.043) and 16.8 ± 5.81 to 10.4 ± 2.51 ( P = 0.042), respectively. These results indicate that improvement in prefrontal dysfunction, because WCST assesses rule conceptualization and modification of strategies for responses to verbal feedback and is particularly sensitive to damage in the prefrontal cortex. Because of the 4-week interval, improvement on WCST scores might be due to a learning effect. There was a previous study in which WCST was administered before and 21 days after treatment for major depressive patients who used antidepressants.1 The previous study reported that WCST scores were not improved. It would be possible that the improvement in WCST scores does not always depend on the interval between the first and second administration of WCST.Most types of depression are related to frontal lobe hypometabolism and low perfusion. A recent study reported that fragrance stimulation brought more blood flow to the prefrontal cortex.2 Komori et al . reported the effects of citrus fragrances on depressive states.3 Taking the results of these previous studies together with the findings, it is conjectured that aromatherapy massage improves depressive states by increasing blood flow to the prefrontal cortex.Aromatherapy massage may be useful as a complementary therapy for depression.

Effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with the acute coronary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

“…Many studies suggested different treatment modalities for the management of anxiety and depression, and the equilibration of physiologic parameters, but an interest in the use of complementary and alternative therapies among older patients with heart diseases is increasing (Sibbritt, Davidson, DiGiacomo, Newton, & Adams, ). Various studies have confirmed the efficacy of nonpharmacological measures such as aromatherapy massage for relieving psychological symptoms in different groups of patients(Cooke & Ernst, ; Kuriyama et al, ; Okamoto et al, ), but immediate consequences and benefits of this therapy on the levels of anxiety and depression are still unknown.…”

“…older patients with heart diseases is increasing (Sibbritt, Davidson, DiGiacomo, Newton, & Adams, 2015). Various studies have confirmed the efficacy of nonpharmacological measures such as aromatherapy massage for relieving psychological symptoms in different groups of patients (Cooke & Ernst, 2000;Kuriyama et al, 2005;Okamoto et al, 2005), but immediate consequences and benefits of this therapy on the levels of anxiety and depression are still unknown.…”

The Effects of Aroma Foot Massage on Blood Pressure and Anxiety in Japanese Community-Dwelling Men and Women: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Similarly, an open, semi-comparative trial with 12 breast cancer patients showed that anxiety, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), was significantly reduced after a 30-minute aroma body massage by skilled therapists [11]. Moreover, aroma massages twice a week for 4 weeks improved prefrontal cortex dysfunction and mild depression in 5 patients with depression [12]. These findings indicated that aroma massage is associated with a more relaxed mental condition as well as decreased BP and anxiety.…”

Chemical composition and stimulating effect of Citrus hystrix oil on humans

“…9 Aromatherapy massage using C. sinensis oil every week for 4 weeks improves depressive states in patients by increasing blood flow to the prefrontal cortex. 10 Stress-relieving properties could also be attributed to C. sinensis oil, measuring the saliva cortisol concentration. 11 An investigation at the Middlesex Hospital in London showed that foot massage with the essential oil from the flowers of C. aurantium (Neroli oil) positively affects the psychological state of patients.…”