J Korean Acad Nurs.  2010 Oct;40(5):705-713. 10.4040/jkan.2010.40.5.705.

Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension

• Cha JH
• Lee SH
• Yoo YS

• KMID: 1394861
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.5.705

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy on blood pressure, heart rate variability, aortic pulse wave velocity and the aortic augmentation index of essential hypertensive patients.
METHODS
Using a coin toss, 22 participants were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control. The experimental group was given a blend of oils of lemon (Citrus limonum), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) which were prepared in the ratio of 2:2:1, respectively. The control group was given an artificial lemon fragrance of Limonene (35 cc) and Citral (15 cc) mixture. The experiment, inhalation, was conducted for 3 weeks (2 min per inhalation, 2 times per day) to both groups.
RESULTS
There was a noticeable difference in systolic blood pressure between the groups (p=.001), however the difference in diastolic blood pressure between the two groups was not significant. There was a notable difference in sympathetic nerve system activity of heart rate variability (p=.047). However, the differences in aortic pulse wave velocity or the aortic augmentation index were not significant.
CONCLUSION
Aromatherapy is effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and sympathetic nerve system activity.

Keyword

Aromatherapy; Hypertension; Autonomic nervous system

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aorta/physiology
*Aromatherapy
Autonomic Nervous System/drug effects
Blood Pressure/drug effects
Cananga/chemistry
Female
Heart Rate/drug effects
Humans
Hypertension/*therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Oils, Volatile
Plant Oils

Figure

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  Figure 1 Research design.

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