Aromatherapy for outpatients with menopausal symptoms in obstetrics and gynecology

Murakami S, Shirota T, Hayashi S, Ishizuka B
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2005


ABSTRACT:

OBJECTIVE:
To introduce Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) into a hospital department of obstetrics and gynecology with the goal of achieving integrative medicine, the authors investigated the effectiveness of aromatherapy for outpatients with menopausal symptoms.

LOCATION:
The department of obstetrics and gynecology, St. Marianna University Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan.

DESIGN:
Participants in the aromatherapy trial received a 30 minute aromatherapy session performed by an aromatherapist that included a consultation, massage, and home care guidance. After they carried out approximately 1 month of home care, they received a second aromatherapy session. The patients’ physical and mental health status was measured at the start and endpoint of the trial by use of the Kupperman index (KI), the self-rating depression scale, and consultation.

SUBJECTS:
Fifteen (15) outpatients (mean age, 54.3 +/- 7.4 years) with menopausal symptoms in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of St. Marianna University Hospital.

RESULTS:
The mean value of the KI score was significantly lowered after the aromatherapy trial from 31.4 +/- 6.8 to 22.9 +/- 6.1 (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:
This investigation shows that aromatherapy could be effective as a CAM method for menopausal symptoms in the setting of a hospital obstetrics and gynecology department.

CITATION:

Murakami S, Shirota T, Hayashi S, Et Al. Aromatherapy for outpatients with menopausal symptoms in obstetrics and gynecology. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(3):491-494.


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