Institute of Integrative Medicine, Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, P. R. China.
National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, P. R. China.
Sleep Breath. 2024 Nov 30;29(1):33. doi: 10.1007/s11325-024-03215-w.
Insomnia is a global health issue that imposes social and economic burdens. Aromatherapy is regarded as a promising alternative medicine for improving sleep quality. This meta-analysis was conducted to explore the potential of aromatherapy for addressing insomnia.
Seven databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from their inception through August 12, 2023. Data were synthesized using random-effect pairwise meta-analysis, with standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) reported. The risk of bias of each RCT was appraised using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis, publication bias diagnosis were also performed.
A total of 14 studies with 1043 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant difference between the intervention and control groups (SMD: -1.63, 95% CI: -2.20 to -1.04). Sensitivity analysis showed that, whichever study was omitted, the conclusions of the remaining studies did not reverse. Among the 14 RCTs included, 6 were deemed to have a low overall risk of bias, and 8 were found to have some concerns. Subgroup analysis revealed that Iran had a more significant therapeutic effect than other regions. The effects of rose and citrus aurantium are more obvious than those of lavender. The different treatments in the control groups, intervention durations and sleep quality questionnaires had impacts on therapeutic effects, while discrepancies were not significant for different health conditions.
Aromatic essential oil has a significant therapeutic effect on insomnia. Further research on the mechanisms and guidelines for implementing aromatherapy is needed. This meta-analysis has been registered in PROSPERO with the ID CRD42023454070.
失眠是一个全球性的健康问题，给社会和经济带来了负担。芳香疗法被认为是改善睡眠质量的一种有前途的替代医学方法。本荟萃分析旨在探讨芳香疗法治疗失眠的潜力。
从建库起至 2023 年 8 月 12 日，我们在七个数据库中搜索了相关的随机对照试验（RCT）。使用随机效应成对荟萃分析合成数据，报告标准化均数差（SMD）和 95%置信区间（CI）。使用 Cochrane 偏倚风险工具评估每项 RCT 的偏倚风险。还进行了亚组和敏感性分析、发表偏倚诊断。
共纳入 14 项研究，共计 1043 名参与者。荟萃分析显示，干预组与对照组之间存在显著差异（SMD：-1.63，95%CI：-2.20 至-1.04）。敏感性分析表明，无论删除哪项研究，其余研究的结论都没有改变。在纳入的 14 项 RCT 中，有 6 项被认为整体偏倚风险较低，有 8 项存在一些关注。亚组分析显示，伊朗的治疗效果比其他地区更显著。玫瑰和甜橙的疗效比薰衣草更明显。对照组的不同治疗、干预持续时间和睡眠质量问卷对疗效有影响，但不同健康状况的差异不显著。
芳香精油对失眠有显著的治疗作用。需要进一步研究芳香疗法的机制和实施指南。本荟萃分析已在 PROSPERO 注册，注册号为 CRD42023454070。
