J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2008 Mar;19(1):27-35.

The Effects of Aromatherapy on Depression, Sleep, Mood, and Smell in Stroke Patients and Their Caregivers

• Suh SR
• Seo JY
• Choi EH
• Park WJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma-inhalation on depression, sleep, mood, and smell in stroke patients and their caregivers. METHOD: This study employed one group pretest-posttest repeated design. Data were collected at three time points: baseline(pre-test), 10 days and 20 days after the intervention(post-test1 and post-test2, respectively). The sample included a total of 23 subjects. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 program using repeated measure ANOVA.
RESULTS
Depression was not statistically significant difference among pre-test, post-test1 and post-test2. Sleep was improved after intervention: 37.61+/-7.41(pre-test), 41.22+/-8.26 (post-test1), 44.33+/-7.67(post-test2)(F=8.182, p=.001). Mood was significantly improved after intervention: 16.95+/-4.89(pre-test), 14.89+/-6.31 (post-test1), 12.11+/-5.04(post-test2). Smell including smell perception, discomfort due to smell and relation between age and smell was significantly improved after intervention: 2.63+/-1.20(pre-test). 2.00+/-1.16(post-test1), 1.63+/-.96(post-test2)(F=6.176, p=.006) in smell perception, 2.50+/-1.10 (pre-test). 1.81+/-.91(post-test1), 1.19+/-.40(post-test2) (F=12.26, p=.000) in discomfort due to smell and 3.53+/-1.18(pre-test). 2.59+/-1.46(post-test1), 2.53+/-1.33(post-test2)(F=4.148, p=.025) in relation between age and smell.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that aroma-inhalation may have an effect on sleep, mood and smell and can be effective nursing intervention to increase the relaxation in stroke patients and their caregivers.

Keyword

Aromatherapy; Depression; Sleep; Mood; Smell

MeSH Terms

Aromatherapy*
Caregivers*
Depression*
Humans
Nursing
Relaxation
Smell*
Stroke*