Positive Health Online

Abstract

BAHRAMI and COLLEAGUES, 1. Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; 2. Elderly Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran;

3. Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway; 4. Faculty of Nursing, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 5. College of Nursing, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA conducted a randomized controlled trial to study the effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Methodology

This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 90 older women with acute coronary syndrome. The participants were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups (n = 45). The intervention group received reflexology with lavender essential oil, but the control group only received routine care. Physiologic parameters, the levels of anxiety and depression in the hospital were evaluated using a checklist and the Hospital's Anxiety and Depression Scale, respectively, before and immediately after the intervention.

Results

Significant differences in the levels of anxiety and depression were reported between the groups after the intervention. The analysis of physiological parameters revealed a statistically significant reduction (P < .05) in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. However, no significant difference was observed in the respiratory rate.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy massage can be considered by clinical nurses an efficient therapy for alleviating psychological and physiological responses among older women suffering from acute coronary syndrome.

References

Bahrami T1, Rejeh N2, Heravi-Karimooi M2, Vaismoradi M3, Tadrisi SD4, Sieloff C5. Effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with the acute coronary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Int J Nurs Pract.;23(6). doi: 10.1111/ijn.12601. 2017 Dec. Epub Oct 25 2017.

Comment

It is to be eagerly awaited that aromatherapy massage intervention be implemented for older patients with acute coronary conditions.