The use of aromasticks at a cancer centre: A retrospective audit

AimTo consider the use of aromasticks in a cancer centre in the UK: the reasons for their use, the choice of essential oils used in them and the demographics of the patients to whom they were given.BackgroundAromasticks are personal aromatherapy inhaler devices, used in this hospital by the complementary therapy team to improve patients' well-being and quality of life by helping with symptom control.DesignA retrospective audit of aromastick use covering a 28 month period from January 2011–April 2013.ResultsA total of 514 aromasticks were given out, to patients with a variety of cancer diagnoses and symptoms. The most common reasons for aromastick use were to alleviate nausea or to encourage relaxation. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), lemon (Citrus limon), frankincense (Boswellia carterii), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), orange sweet (Citrus sinensis) and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) were the essential oils used most often.     

Caring for the wounded healer—nurturing the self

Health professionals have to deal with a “wounded society”, for example, violence, natural disasters and displaced people. Shortage of health professional groups and the high use of complementary therapies may reflect professional wounds, such as stress and burnout. Self-care is an important aspect of health professionals’ lives, given modern-day work stressors that can affect an individual's physical, mental and spiritual health. Often people become healers through personal suffering. Each person wounded or not, needs to understand his or her own need to be nurtured, and develop and implement a self-care health programme. Personal and professional reflection are important to understanding the nature of events that lead to “wounds” and how they can be transcended and the experiences used in holistic care. Aromatherapy can be a useful addition to self-care especially in managing stress and minor self-limiting conditions.     

Lavender essential oil on postmenopausal women with insomnia: Double-blind randomized trial

BackgroundTo evaluate the effect of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil inhalation on sleep and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with insomnia.Participants35 postmenopausal women with a clinical diagnosis of insomnia were included, 17 in Aroma Group (AG) and 18 in Placebo Group (PG).MethodsIn this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, PG participants inhaled sunflower oil and AG participants inhaledLavandula angustifolia essential oil, for 29 days. Both groups received sleep hygiene guidelines before the intervention and weekly follow-up during it. Evaluations were performed before and after intervention. All statistical analyses and intention-to-treat test were performed in SPSS 22. Sleep quality (Primary outcome) was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes were polysomnography data, severity of insomnia, anxiety and depression symptoms, and postmenopausal symptoms.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups after intervention in the primary outcome (P = 0.22; effect size=0.69); however, a tendency of improvement in wake after sleep onset (WASO) was observed (P = 0.07; effect size=0.81; B = 42.2). Both groups presented better sleep quality over time (AG P < 0.001; PG P = 0.011). AG participants showed a significant decrease in sleep onset latency (P = 0.001), depression levels (P = 0.025), hot flashes (P < 0.001), postmenopausal symptoms (P < 0.001) and, in polysomnography data, increased sleep efficiency (P = 0.002) compared to baseline.ConclusionAlthough no significant differences were observed between groups, our data presented a tendency of improvement in WASO. Moreover, AG participants had enhanced overall sleep pattern, quality and sleep efficiency. Weekly follow-up and sleep hygiene instructions were essential for both groups to show improvement in almost all outcomes.Clinical trial registrationBrazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br, RBR-5q5t5z.     

香薰调息疗法对缓解产妇分娩疲乏和疼痛的效果

目的：探讨香薰调息疗法缓解分娩产妇疲劳和疼痛的效果。方法选择本院自然分娩足月产妇136名,按照随机数字表法分成干预组和对照组各68名,两组均接受常规分娩护理,干预组在此基础上采用香薰调息疗法护理。采用视觉模拟评分法( VAS)评估两组产妇的疼痛程度,参照线性视觉模拟评分标尺评估疲乏程度,调查干预组产妇对干预措施的主观评价。结果干预组产妇第一产程活跃期、第二产程及第三产程疼痛程度VAS评分分别为(7.24±1.09),(6.95±0.85),(5.25±2.17)分,均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为-2.961,-3.258,-3.122;P<0.05);干预组产妇第二产程及第三产程疲乏程度VAS评分分别为(5.91±0.85),(6.34±1.60)分,均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为-2.879,-2.947;P <0.05);干预组产妇对香薰调息法主观评价总分为(14.18±1.82)分,在增进舒适度、缓解紧张、促进放松、减轻疲劳主观评价平均分均在3分以上。结论香薰调息疗法对缓解分娩疼痛、疲乏效果明显,是一项值得推广的干预措施。     

The effects of lavender aromatherapy on pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients

ObjectiveThis study sought to determine the effects of lavender aromatherapy on pain following needle insertion into a fistula in patients undergoing hemodialysis.MethodThis is a randomized controlled clinical trial in which 92 patients undergoing hemodialysis with arteriovenous fistulas were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental-group patients inhaled lavender essence with a concentration of 10% for 5 min during 3 hemodialysis sessions, while the control-group patients received aromatherapy free of lavender essence.ResultsThe mean VAS pain intensity score in the experimental and control groups before the intervention was 3.78 ± 0.24 and 4.16 ± 0.32, respectively (p = 0.35). The mean VAS pain intensity score in the experimental and control groups after three aromatherapy sessions was 2.36 ± 0.25 and 3.43 ± 0.31, respectively (p = 0.009).ConclusionLavender aromatherapy may be an effective technique to reduce pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients.     

Participatory action inquiry using baccalaureate nursing students: The inclusion of integrative health care modalities in nursing core curriculum

Nurses, nursing educators and students support the inclusion of integrative health care (IHC) into nursing core curriculum as a way to create nurses who deliver nursing care to the full extent of their scope of practice and advance evidenced based IHC. Because of the holistic nature of IHC modalities, research to investigate appropriate teaching strategies and potential efficacy of learning IHC in the baccalaureate core curriculum requires a holistic approach. Therefore a phenomenological exploration using participatory action inquiry was conducted at a large Midwestern university. Eighteen first year nursing students were selected as co-researchers. Their experiences in learning and delivering three 15 min IHC interventions (foot reflexology, lavender aromatherapy and mindful breathing) in an acute care setting were captured using reflexive journaling and participation in structured and organic communicative spaces. Of the patients approached, 67% accepted to receive one or more IHC modalities (147/219). Using van Manen's model for holistic data reduction three themes emerged: The experience of presence, competency and unexpected results. Learning IHC modalities is best supported by a self-reflective process that is constructed and modeled by a nurse faculty member with experience in delivering IHC modalities.     

Aromatherapy for stress reduction in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

The aim of this review was to systematically assess the effectiveness of aromatherapy for stress management. Seven databases were searched from their inception through April 2014. RCTs testing aromatherapy against any type of controls in healthy human person that assessed stress level and cortisol level were considered. Two reviewers independently performed the selection of the studies, data abstraction and validations. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria. Five RCTs met our inclusion criteria, and most of them had high risk of bias. Four RCTs tested the effects of aroma inhalation compared with no treatment, no aroma, and no odour oil. The meta-analysis suggested that aroma inhalation has favourable effects on stress management (n = 80; standard mean difference (SMD), −0.96; 95% CI, −1.44 to −0.48; P < 0.0001; I² = 0%). Three of included RCTs tested aroma inhalation on saliva or serum cortisol level compared with control and meta-analysis failed to show significant difference between two groups (n = 88, SMDs −0.62; 95% CIs −1.26 to 0.02, P = 0.06, I² = 46%). In conclusion, there is limited evidence suggesting that aroma inhalation may be effective in controlling stress. However, the number, size and quality of the RCTs are too low to draw firm conclusions.     

Aromatherapy Hand Massage for Test Anxiety and Self-Efficacy in Nursing Students: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to determine if aromatherapy hand massage (HM) could improve test anxiety and self-efficacy in nursing students. Participants were randomized to receive aromatherapy hand massage (AHM), unscented HM, or no intervention (C) 60 minutes before an examination. No significant differences were found, but analysis of the percentage change from the means demonstrated the largest decrease in test anxiety in the AHM group (AHM = ?12.4%, HM = ?8.63%, C = ?1.76%). Self-efficacy trends followed a similar pattern (AHM = 5.93%, HM = ?3.03%, C = 0.52%). The trends in the percentage change from the means indicate that a larger sample may show improvements in test anxiety and self-efficacy with the use of AHM, which could improve nursing students’ academic performance and decrease attrition rates.     

芳香治疗改善台湾地区安宁科护士工作倦怠及情绪的初步研究

目的 探讨芳香治疗对安宁科护士情绪及工作倦怠的影响,为芳香治疗的研究提供有关刎数据资料.方法 对研究组进行2个月的芳香治疗,使用焦虑自评量表（SAS）、抑郁自评量表（SDS）、工作倦怠量表和症状自评量表（SCL-90）进行评估.结果 研究组焦虑和抑郁情绪评分在治疗前后有显著差异,SCL-90显示研究对象在8周芳香治疗后焦虑因子和抑郁因子分有显著减低.工作倦怠量表情绪衰竭、情感疏远显著高于常模,个人成就显著低于常模.治疗后情绪衰竭、情感疏显著减低.结论 芳香治疗可以改善安宁科护士焦虑和抑郁情绪,并改善安宁科护士的工作倦怠. ZHANG Kai-peng YANG Can WANG Gao-hua 作者简介： 作者单位：张愷破（430060,武汉大学人民医院精神卫生中心） 杨灿（430060,武汉大学人民医院精神卫生中心） 王高华（430060,武汉大学人民医院精神卫生中心） 王惠玲（430060,武汉大学人民医院精神卫生中心）