Effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with the acute coronary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial
Strong EvidenceIn Plain Language: anxiety, explained
This study aimed to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with acute coronary syndrome. 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. 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. 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.
Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about anxiety
- ✓Reflexology with lavender essential oil significantly reduced anxiety levels in older women with acute coronary syndrome compared to routine care alone.
- ✓Reflexology with lavender essential oil significantly reduced depression levels in older women with acute coronary syndrome compared to routine care alone.
- ✓Reflexology with lavender essential oil produced statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure in older patients with acute coronary syndrome.
What This Means for You
This study suggests aromatherapy massage may help reduce anxiety and depression in heart attack patients, though results apply specifically to older women and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.
What This Means for Practitioners
Consider offering aromatherapy massage with lavender as a complementary therapy for older cardiac patients, as evidence supports its effectiveness for reducing anxiety, depression, and certain vital signs in this population.
Study Design: how this randomised trial was run
Anxiety: common questions
What does this study say about anxiety?
This study suggests aromatherapy massage may help reduce anxiety and depression in heart attack patients, though results apply specifically to older women and you should discuss this with your healthcare provider.
What did this study find?
Reflexology with lavender essential oil significantly reduced anxiety levels in older women with acute coronary syndrome compared to routine care alone. Reflexology with lavender essential oil significantly reduced depression levels in older women with acute coronary syndrome compared to routine care alone. Reflexology with lavender essential oil produced statistically significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure in older patients with acute coronary syndrome.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence strong. It covers 90 participants. It was published in International journal of nursing practice, a Q2 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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The Effect of Foot Massage with Biofeedback: A Pilot Study to Enhance Health Promotion in Elderly.
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