Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Hiroko Kuriyama,Jiro Imanishi,Toshiaki Tadai,Daiki Masaki,Noriko Yoshida,Kotaro Ozasa,Satoko Watanabe,Masakazu Kita,Takaaki Nakaya,Ichiro Shigemori,Kenji Fukui

doi:10.1093/ecam/neh087

Abstract

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4+, CD8+ and CD16+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-γ and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P > 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8+ and CD16+ lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8+ lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

Highlights

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, the pure volatile portion of aromatic plant products normally extracted by distillation, for therapeutic or medical purposes
State anxiety scores from the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were significantly reduced after both aromatherapy massage and control massage compared with the baseline obtained before the massage
The numbers of lymphocytes, CD8ϩ cells and CD16ϩ cells significantly increased after the aromatherapy massage (P Ͻ 0.05, P Ͻ 0.01 and P Ͻ 0.05, respectively), but not after the control massage (P ϭ 0.17, P ϭ 0.70 and P ϭ 0.17, respectively) (Table 5 and Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils, the pure volatile portion of aromatic plant products normally extracted by distillation, for therapeutic or medical purposes. Aromatherapy acts on the central nervous system, relieving depression and anxiety, Several basic research studies and clinical trials examining the effectiveness of the therapy have been published recently. The in vitro results of the effects of essential oils on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [8,9], Helicobacter pylori [10], Candida albicans infection [11], and so forth have been reported. Phase I clinical trials have been done on inhibition of oral plaque formation [12], MRSA infection [13] and interdigital tinea pedis [14]. Clinical trials of aromatherapy on pruritus in Benefits of aromatherapy massage patients undergoing hemodialysis [15] and on agitated behavior in dementia patients have been reported [16,17]

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