Improvement of Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disturbance in Nursing Home Residents by Aromatherapy Massage : A Preliminary Study

[ABSTRACT] 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 week during which the aromatherapy massage sessions were performed, with 1-week periods (1 and 3 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 week compared with those in the 1 and/or 3 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 week were significantly closer to 24 h than those in the 1 and 3 weeks. These results suggest that aromatherapy massage improves sleep and circadian rhythm disturbance.

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