Validity of the olfactory aromathearpy to examine from the autonomic activity in the essential oil of the elderly

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670996
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gerontological nursing
• Research Institution: Fukushima Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Sakamoto Yuko 福島県立医科大学, 看護学部, 教授 (20333982)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Muramatsu Hitoshi 群馬パース大学, 保健科学部, 教授 (50303433)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 精油 / 自律神経 / 高齢者 / アロマセラピー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study aimed to investigate whether elderly individuals exhibit responses consistent with the effects of essential oils.
In Study 1, a commercially available mixture essential oils was used, and changes in heart rate were measured olfactory aromatherapy. In Study 2, olfactory aromatherapy was performed using two types of essential oils separately while also placing a cognitive load, and changes in heart rate were measured.
In Study 1, autonomic activity consistent with the effects of the essential oil was observed overall. In Study 2, autonomic activity consistent with the effects of the two essential oils was observed overall, but no autonomic activity consistent with the effects was seen for either essential oil in the reduced olfactory function and reduced cognitive function groups. Therefore, although autonomic activity was inconsistent with the effects of essential oils in some subjects, it was generally consistent with the effects of essential oils.

Free Research Field

医歯薬学