Korean J Adult Nurs.  2015 Aug;27(4):438-448. 10.7475/kjan.2015.27.4.438.

The Effects of Aroma Therapy on Allergic Symptoms, Eosinophil, and the Quality of Life related to Rhinitis in University Students with Allergic Rhinitis

• Won SJ
• Chae YR

• KMID: 2421529
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2015.27.4.438

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of using aroma essential oils on allergic symptoms, eosinophils and quality of life related to rhinitis for university students with allergic rhinitis.
METHODS
A randomized controlled experimental design was used. There were 37 participants in the experimental group, and 30 in the control group. The experimental group applied the essential oils four times a day in the nasal area as well as using inhalation of the oils each night for four weeks. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire was composed of 28 questions regarding seven areas associated with allergic reactions. The data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 21.0 program.
RESULTS
Rhinitis symptom index, nose itching (p<.001), sneezing (p<.001), watery rhinorrhea (p<.001), and nose congestion (p<.001) all had significant difference for the participants in the treatment group. Further there were significant differences in eosinophils both for measured time and interaction (p<.001). For the quality of life related to rhinitis, the results showed significant difference (p<.001).
CONCLUSION
Using aroma therapy by applying essential oils turned out to be an effective nursing intervention that can be utilized in the easing of allergic symptom and the decrease of eosinophils, causing improvement in the quality of life related to rhinitis.

MeSH Terms

Aromatherapy*
Eosinophils*
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Inhalation
Nose
Nursing
Oils
Oils, Volatile
Pruritus
Quality of Life*
Research Design
Rhinitis*
Sneezing
Oils
Oils, Volatile

Reference

1.World Health Organization. Prevention of allergy and allergic asthma [internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization;2003. [cited 2011 March 4]. Available from:. http://www.worldallergy.org/professional/who_paa2003.pdf.

2.Ministry of Health and Welfare. 2012 National health statistics-The 5th National Health and Nutritional Survey [internet]. Seoul: Ministry of Health and Welfare;2011. [cited 2014 February 10]. Available from:. http://knhanes.cdc.go.kr/knhanes/index.do.

3.Dalal AA., Stanford R., Henry H., Borah B. Economic burden of rhinitis in managed care: a retrospective claims data analysis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2008. 101(1):23–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60830-7.

4.Chae YR., Choi DH., Yu SJ. Predictors of poor sleep quality among nursing students. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science. 2014. 16(2):98–104. http://dx.doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2014.16.2.98.

5.Song MR., Kim EK. Effects of eucalyptus aroma therapy on the allergic rhinitis of university students. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science. 2014. 16(4):300–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2014.16.4.300.

6.Kim CW. Current update on allergic rhinitis. The Korean Journal of Medicine. 2012. 82(3):298–303.

7.Kim WK. Therapeutic approaches to allergic rhinitis. Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease. 2004. 14(3):183–95.

8.Frew AJ. Sublingual immunotherapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008. 358(21):2259–64.

9.Rondón C., Fernandez J., Canto G., Blanca M. Local allergic rhinitis: concept, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic approach. Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology. 2010. 20(5):364–71.

10.Kakumanu S., Glass C., Craig T. Poor sleep and daytime somnolence in allergic rhinitis: significance of nasal congestion. American Journal of Respiratory Medicine. 2002. 1(3):195–200.

11.Kremer B., Den Hartog HM., Jolles J. Relationship between allergic rhinitis, disturbed cognitive functions and psychological well-being. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2002. 32(9):1310–5.

12.Choi EH., Kang B., Lee HY., Kang HS., Kim JH., Lim DH, et al. Development of a questionnaire to investigate the level of awareness of allergic rhinitis. Pediatric Allergy & Respiratory Disease. 2010. 20(2):188–96.

13.Ki L., Han DM., Lu XF., Zhang L. Psychological characteristics in patients with allergic rhinitis and its associated factors analysis. Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. 2009. 44(12):982–5.

14.Skoner DP. Allergic rhinitis: definition epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection and diagnosis. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 2001. 108:2–8.

15.Song MS., Suh YS. Effects of aromatherapy on blood pressure, pulse fatigue, and sleep for patients with allergic rhinitis. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science. 2010. 12(1):16–23.

16.Jeong JW. Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Inje Medical Journal. 2002. 13(2):225–31.

17.Rhee CS. Immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: current and future. Korean Journal of Otolaryngology. 2005. 48:1312–22.

18.Schnaubelt K. Medical aromatherapy frog itd, healing with essential oil. USA: North atlantic book;1999.

19.Kim G., Yoon MY., Kim DH. Research for inhibitory effect of aromatherapy on allergic asthma by flow cytometer. Journal of DaeJeon University Institute of Oriental Medicine. 2004. 12:145–56.

20.Jeon YK. Inhibitory effect of the induced allergic asthma murine by peppermint inhalation therapy. [master's thesis]. Daejeon: Daejeon University;2010.

21.Inoue T., Sugimoto Y., Masuda H., Kamei C. Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from mentha piperita L. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2002. 25(2):256–9.

22.Vigo E., Cepeda A., Gualillo O., Perez-Fernandez R. In vitro anti-inflammatory effect of eucalyptus globulus and thymus vugaris: nitric oxide inhibition in J774A.1 murine macrophages. Journal Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2004. 56(2):257–63.

23.Ha BJ. Aroma therapy. Seoul: Soomoonsa;2006.

24.Bukle J. The role of aromatherapy in nursing care. The Nursing Clinics of North America. 2001. 36(1):52–72.

25.Park KH., Jo JS., Lee KH., Shin SY., Moon JH., Cha CI. Rhino conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) as an evaluator of perennial allergic rhinitis patients. Korean Journal of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2002. 45(3):254–62.

26.Kim YJ., Kim JH., Shin HS., Lee BJ., Jeoung YS. Effect on the symptom score and nasal secretion eosinophils: a comparative study of intranasal budesonide and oral terfenadine in perennial allergic rhinitis. Journal of Asthma, Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 2001. 21(1):216–22.

27.Han SH., Hur MH., Park JH., Lee EJ., Park MK. Aromatherapy for woman. Seoul: Hyunmoonsa;2002.

28.Shin GR. The therapeutic effect of mixed oil of german chamomile, lavender, sandalwood on atopic dermatitis of animal model, NC/Nga mice. [dissertation]. Daejeon: Daejeon University;2006.

29.Furuhata K., Dogasaki D., Hara M., Fukuyama M. Antibacterial activities of several herbs on legionella pneumophila. Journal of Azabu University. 2000. 1(2):15–20.