J Korean Acad Nurs.  2016 Oct;46(5):619-629. 10.4040/jkan.2016.46.5.619.

Effects of Aromatherapy on Menopausal Symptoms, Perceived Stress and Depression in Middle-aged Women: A Systematic Review

• Kim S
• Song JA
• Kim ME
• Hur MH

• KMID: 2424635
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2016.46.5.619

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was a systematic review to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms, perceived stress and depression in middle aged-women.
METHODS
Eight databases were searched from their inception September 8, 2015. Two reviewers independently performed the selection of the studies, data abstraction and validations. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria. For analysis of the data, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed.
RESULTS
From the electronic databases, 73 articles were selected, and 19 removed due to duplication. After two reviewers read the abstracts of 54 studies, 34 studies were selected. Complete papers for 34 original articles were read and, 12 studies which met selection criteria were reviewed and the effects of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms, stress and depression analyzed using meta-analysis with RevMan. In the 2 studies which included Randomized Controlled Trials testing of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms and comparison of control and placebo groups were done. Aromatherapy massage was favorably effective in reducing the menopausal symptoms compared to the control group (n=118, MD=-6.33; 95% CI -11.51 to -1.15), and compared to the placebo group (n=117, MD=-4.14; 95% CI -7.63 to -0.64). Also aromatherapy was effective in reducing stress (n=72, SMD=-0.64; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.17) and depression (n=158, MD=-5.63; 95% CI -10.04 to -1.22).
CONCLUSION
There is limited evidence suggesting that aromatherapy for middle-aged women may be effective in controlling menopausal symptoms, perceived stress and depression.

Keyword

Aromatherapy; Menopause; Stress; Depression; Systematic Review

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
*Aromatherapy
Databases, Factual
Depression/*therapy
Female
Humans
Menopause
*Stress, Psychological

Figure

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  Figure 1 Study flow diagram of a systematic review.

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  Figure 2 Risk of bias for included study.

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  Figure 3 Forest plot of the effects of aromatherapy for middle-aged women.

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