J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2023 Oct;27(4):193-204. 10.21896/jksmch.2023.27.4.193.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Aromatherapy on Depression and Anxiety in Postmenopausal Women

• Lee HK
• Kim HK
• Song SM

• KMID: 2547470
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2023.27.4.193

Abstract

Purpose
This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy interventions on depression and anxiety in menopausal women.
Methods
This study adhered to PRISMA (preferred reporting items of systemic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. Relevant studies published between 1994 and 2002 were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Google Scholar, DBPIA, KISS, and RISS databases. Search criteria included the mesh terms 'aromatherapy menopause women depression anxiety.' The review included randomized and nonrandomized studies of women who were menopausal or postmenopausal and received aromatherapy intervention for depression and anxiety associated with symptoms of menopause. The extracted literature was evaluated via quality appraisal checklists of ROB 2 (Risk of Bias 2.0) and ROBINS-1 (Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions) and visualized using a risk-of-bias visualization tool.
Results
The review included 6 randomized controlled studies and 2 quasi-experimental studies. The results showed that aromatherapy massage and inhalation therapy were effective in reducing depression and had beneficial effects in reducing anxiety, improving quality of sleep, and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women.
Conclusion
Interventions using aromatic essential oils to massage the hands, arms, back, and scalp or inhalation of aromatic oils from clothing, necklaces, and bedding might be beneficial for the emotional health of menopausal women. Women health professionals should consider applying aromatherapy to menopausal women to improve emotional health, sleep, and menopausal symptoms.

Keyword

Anxiety, Aromatherapy, Depression, Menopause, Systematic review

Figure

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  Fig. 1. PRISMA (preferred reporting items of systemic reviews and meta-analysis) flow diagram.

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  Fig. 2. Risk of bias for the randomized-controlled trials.

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  Fig. 3. Risk of bias of the nonrandomized studies.

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