Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 Feb;34:46-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.11.001. Epub 2018 Nov 7.
Various studies indicate the negative effects of menopausal symptoms and complications on the quality of life (QOL) of women. The tendency to use different methods of complementary medicine to control menopausal symptoms is increasing. In addition, lavender essential oil has been shown to have positive effects on some symptoms associated with menopause. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of lavender aromatherapy on the QOL of postmenopausal women.
A randomized, controlled, clinical trial was conducted on 62 postmenopausal women referred to health centers of Isfahan, Iran. The subjects were divided into two groups of control and intervention. The intervention group inhaled 2% lavender essential oil every night before bedtime for 20 minutes during one month. The control group received the placebo (distilled water) in the same manner as the intervention group. The data collection tools were the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)and a demographic characteristics questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS software.
The independent t-test showed a significant difference in the mean total score of QOL and its various dimensions (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual dimensions) after the intervention between the aromatherapy and placebo groups (P < 0.001).
Inhalation aromatherapy using lavender essential oil can improve the QOL of postmenopausal women with a reduction in the severity of complications and physical-psychological symptoms.
多项研究表明，更年期症状和并发症对女性生活质量（QOL）有负面影响。女性倾向于使用不同的补充医学方法来控制更年期症状，这一趋势日益明显。此外，薰衣草精油已被证明对一些与更年期相关的症状有积极影响。因此，本研究旨在确定薰衣草香薰疗法对更年期后妇女生活质量的影响。
在伊朗伊斯法罕的健康中心，对 62 名更年期后妇女进行了一项随机、对照、临床试验。将这些受试者分为对照组和干预组。干预组每晚睡前吸入 2%的薰衣草精油 20 分钟，持续一个月。对照组以与干预组相同的方式接受安慰剂（蒸馏水）。数据收集工具为更年期特定生活质量问卷（MENQOL）和人口统计学特征问卷。使用 SPSS 软件进行描述性和推断性统计分析。
独立样本 t 检验显示，在干预后，香薰疗法组和安慰剂组之间的生活质量总分及其各维度（血管舒缩、心理社会、身体和性维度）的平均分存在显著差异（P<0.001）。
使用薰衣草精油进行吸入式香薰疗法可以改善更年期后妇女的生活质量，减轻并发症和身心症状的严重程度。
