Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Abstract

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4+, CD8+ and CD16+ lymphocytes, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-γ and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P > 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8+ and CD16+ lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8+ lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

Effectiveness of Aromatherapy with Light Thai Massage for Cellular Immunity Improvement in Colorectal Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

“…Using the adjusted post-assessment values, the lymphocyte count was 11.4% higher in the treatment group than in the controls. This outcome is consistent with the findings reported by Hernandez-Rief et al (2004;2005), Kuriyama et al (2005) and Imanishi et al (2009) that massage (and, in particular, aromatherapy massage) can boost lymphocyte numbers. It is potentially very important, especially in terms of the apparent effect size, to cancer patients if an improvement in their immune system functioning can help to protect them from infections during the course of their chemotherapy.…”

“…It is potentially very important, especially in terms of the apparent effect size, to cancer patients if an improvement in their immune system functioning can help to protect them from infections during the course of their chemotherapy. However, in contrast to other studies, no significant differences were found for WBCs in general or in the other measures of immune system functioning involving various specific different types of WBCs: for example, Field et al (2001) found that massage increased WBCs and neutrophils, Diego et al (2001) reported that it increased CD4 cells and the CD4/CD8 ratio, and Kuriyama et al (2005) found that it increased the CD8 cell count. Differences between the results of the present and other studies may be explained in terms of differences in the populations studied, in the frequency, length, spacing and number of massage sessions, and in the massage procedure itself.…”

“…There was no change in the control group. The fourth (Kuriyama et al, 2005) was a Japanese preliminary cross-over trial with 11 healthy volunteers to compare aromatherapy massage with massage using only a carrier oil. The results showed statistically significant increases in lymphocytes, CD8, and CD16 after aromatherapy massage, but not after massage with only the carrier oil.…”

Subjective Effects of Lemon Seed, Rose and Lavender Essential Oils on Humans: A Case Study from Two Different Age Groups

“…Some essential oils applied via respiration and orally were also reported to reduce the symptoms and strengthen the memory in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer (7,14). In this work, different effects were observed in the studied age groups.…”

Effects of Aromatherapy Massage on the Sleep Quality and Physiological Parameters of Patients in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit

“…Lavender is a safe herb and no toxicity has been reported (Cavanagh & Wilkinson, 2002). Aromatherapy massage combines the positive effects of massage and aromatherapy, resulting in a complementary therapy that is more effective than either method alone (Kuriyama et al, 2005). As a treatment, aromatherapy massage focuses on controlling symptoms.…”