Improvement of Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbance in Nursing Home Residents by Aromatherapy Massage: A Preliminary Study / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We examined the effect of aromatherapy massage on the circadian rhythm in 8 elderly subjects in an open semi-comparative trial, comparing the parameters in the 2^nd week during which the aromatherapy massage sessions were performed, with 1-week periods (1^st and 3^rd weeks) before and after the sessions. Time spent asleep while in-bed and the sleep efficiency during the sleep time increased significantly in the 2^nd week compared with those in the 1^st and/or 3^rd weeks. A higher peak of the 24-h cycle circadian rhythm was noted following aromatherapy massage in elderly people, who often exhibit circadian rhythm disturbance. Furthermore, the peaks of the spectrum cycle in the 2^nd week were significantly closer to 24 h than those in the 1^st and 3^rd weeks. These results suggest that aromatherapy massage improves sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance.<br>