Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Abstract

Purpose:To investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy on blood pressure, heart rate variability, aortic pulse wave velocity and the aortic augmentation index of essential hypertensive patients. Methods: Using a coin toss, 22 participants were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control. The experimental group was given a blend of oils of lemon (Citrus limonum), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) which were prepared in the ratio of 2:2:1, respectively. The control group was given an artificial lemon fragrance of Limonene (35 cc) and Citral (15 cc) mixture. The experiment, inhalation, was conducted for 3 weeks (2 min per inhalation, 2 times per day) to both groups. Results: There was a noticeable difference in systolic blood pressure between the groups (p=.001), however the difference in diastolic blood pressure between the two groups was not significant. There was a notable difference in sympathetic nerve system activity of heart rate variability (p=.047). However, the differences in aortic pulse wave velocity or the aortic augmentation index were not significant. Conclusion: Aromatherapy is effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and sympathetic nerve system activity.

Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects

“…The daytime BP was decreased by 10.8/7.1 mm Hg and was significantly different from the placebo and control groups, while no difference was found on the night time BP. These results are consistent with previous research showing a decrease in BP of 6.7/3.0 mm Hg after three weeks of aromatherapy [4]. However, a study comparing eight weeks of triple and double pharmacotherapy using a 24-hour ambulatory BP showed a decrease of 30.3/19.7 mm Hg and 28.0/17.8 mm Hg in the daytime and night time BPs, respectively, in the triple therapy group and a decrease of 18.8–24.1 mm Hg/11.7–15.5 mm Hg in the daytime and 18.3–22.6/11.1–14.3 in the night time BPs in the double therapy group [17].…”

“…These results are consistent with the results of previous studies [4, 6, 14]. However, the magnitude of the difference was very low; therefore, the clinical significance can be deemed small despite the statistical significance.…”

“…Aromatherapy has been claimed to be effective in decreasing one's BP, and heart rate using the essential oil of plants [4–8]. However, previous studies measured BP once or twice weekly to monitor physiological changes to assess the antihypertensive effect of essential oils [4–6]. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of hypertension using one or two BP measurements and the subsequent evaluation of a therapeutic effect on the patient leave much room for error.…”

Fractal Based Analysis of the Influence of Odorants on Heart Activity

“…Several scientists have analyzed the effect of external stimulation on the heart rate of patients with different heart diseases. The works on analysis of the influence of lavender5152, and the blend of oils of lemon, lavender, and ylang ylang53 as aromas on heart rate variability of patients are noteworthy to mention. In further attempts, our method also may be investigated in analysis of the influence of odorants on the heart rate of patients suffering from different heart diseases, where the diseases affect their heart rate.…”

Effects of Aroma Inhalation Therapy on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and the Autonomic Nervous System in High-risk Pregnant Women

“…관련된 선행연구를 살펴보면 아로마 흡입요법으로 혈액투석 환자의 스트레스와 상태불안 [9], 수술실 간호사의 스트레스가 감소하였으며 [10], 고혈압 환자에서는 스트레스 완화 [11,12] 및 자율신경계 중 교감신경계의 활성도 감소에 효과가 있었다 [13,14]. 또한 방사선 요법을 받는 유방암 환자의 우울과 불안을 감 소시키고 [14], 수술 환자의 불안이나 [15], 우울 [6], 통증 [16] Table 3).…”