Aromatherapy improves mood in depressed elders

The long-term effects of aromatherapy oil massage and aromatherapy oil inhalation on depression in older adults have been directly compared for the first time.

Depression is relatively common among the elderly. Alone and together with other comorbidities, these can significantly reduce the quality of life of those affected and, in extreme cases, lead to suicidal thoughts. Pharmacotherapy with psychotropic drugs and psychotherapeutic approaches is standard procedure. The former is associated with the risk of adverse side effects or interactions with other drugs, and the latter is associated with high time and cost.

Therefore, effective treatments are desired that minimize risk and time and cost. Aromatherapy in the form of aromatherapy oil massage or inhalation can be tried, the antidepressant efficacy of which has been demonstrated in clinical studies in different patient groups. In most cases, however, only one of the two application forms was tested.

In the study in China this time, the two methods were directly compared with each other, and it was also checked whether long-term effects could be observed even after the treatment ended.

Design: Depressed older adults (age 60 or older) were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
1)Aromatherapy Massage
2) Inhalation aromatherapy
3) No treatment (control)

1) Using a mixture of lavender, orange and bergamot oils (2:1:1), add one drop to the base material.

5ml of almond oil Add one drop of the above formula to almond oil for hands, arms, shoulders, neck and head massage.

2) Mix one drop of the above mixed formula with 10ml of pure water, and use it for inhalation through the nebulizer in the room.

Aromatherapy applications were applied twice a week for 30 minutes over an eight-week period.

3) The control group did not receive any treatment.

At baseline, after the eight-week treatment period and after six to 10 weeks (the follow-up phase), patients' depression was assessed on two different questionnaires (Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form and Patient Health Questionnaire-9). In addition, the serotonin content in blood samples was determined as an objective parameter, since depression is often associated with serotonin deficiency.

In both aromatherapy groups, patients' mood improved significantly with the corresponding treatment and remained at this level for approximately 6 and 10 weeks after the end of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatments, although scores in the massage group improved slightly. Although serotonin levels in both groups after the treatment period tended to be higher than at baseline, they were not statistically significant.

In the control group, the values ​​at week 8 were slightly worse than those at the start. No data could be included in the interim assessment due to problems with blood tests at the follow-up stage. No adverse reactions occurred through treatment.

Observation indicators:

Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used for pretest, posttest and 6-week and 10-week follow-up assessments in all groups. Serotonin (5-HT) concentrations were assessed before and after the test.

result:

GDS-SF and PHQ-9 scores were significantly lower in the aromatherapy massage and inhalation group than in the control group.

Compared with the pretest, the GDS-SF and PHQ-9 scores of depressive symptoms in the two experimental groups remained lower in the posttest (8 weeks), 6 weeks (14 weeks) and 10 weeks (18 weeks) follow-up.

However, GDS-SF and PHQ-9 scores did not differ between the four time points in the control group. Post-test 5-HT concentrations in the aromatherapy massage and aromatherapy inhalation groups increased compared to pretest values.

in conclusion:

1) Based on the present results, both forms of aromatherapy, massage and inhalation, appear to be helpful in alleviating depression in elderly patients.

2) Since the control group has not received any treatment, the treatment during the treatment period cannot completely exclude a certain placebo effect.

3) Continuing good readings in the subsequent stages of the control group was reversed. There was no difference in compatibility between the two aromatherapy oil treatments and the results were equally good. Therefore, from an economic point of view, inhalation therapy can be considered completely adequate. However, the importance of therapeutic touch in treating the elderly cannot be overstated.

Abstract: Xiong M, Li Y, Tang P, Zhang Y, Cao M, Ni J, Sing M. Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage and inhalation on symptoms of depression in Chinese community-dwelling older adults. J Altern Complement Med 2018; 24( 7): 717-724