Abstract
Abstract Introduction Sleep is essential for women’s health and its deprivation leads to serious physiological consequences. In addition, insomnia is a common complaint in postmenopausal women. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil inhalation on sleep and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with insomnia. Methods Experimental, double-blind, randomized controlled trial composed by 33 women (48 - 65 years) with clinical diagnosis of insomnia divided in two groups that inhaled different oils before sleep during 29 days: Placebo Group - PG (sunflower oil) and Aroma Group - AG (Lavandula angustifolia essential oil). Both groups received sleep hygiene guidelines and were followed weekly. To assess the effect of the intervention on menopausal symptoms the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used and for sleep evaluation the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used. Additionally, polysomnography were used to assess sleep pattern. All outcomes were evaluated before and after intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22 through Generalized Estimed Equations test with significance set at p≤ 0.05. Results Comparing the pre and post-intervention periods, AG participants had a significant decrease in sleep onset latency, depression level, hot flashes, menopausal symptoms and a significant increase in sleep quality. Polysomnography data showed increased sleep efficiency and decreased wakefulness after sleep onset on AG participants. After the intervention, all volunteers presented improvement in all outcomes of sleep and menopausal symptoms measured by questionnaires. Conclusion The intervention was effective in improving the sleep pattern of AG participants, but was not significant when compared to PG participants. In addition, sleep hygiene instructions were essential to improve the sleep pattern of all volunteers. Therefore, inhalation of lavender essential oil is a safe, low-cost practice that should be considered as a complementary option to conventional treatments, whether medical, psychological or other integrative and complementary practices. Support This research was supported by fellowships from Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq).
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.