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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Dec 6;103(49):e40688.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040688.

Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults: A meta-analysis

Kun Xu  1 , Shouyan Wang  1 , Quanyue Ji  1 , Yan Ni  1 , Tianyun Liu  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults: A meta-analysis

Kun Xu et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Background: Aromatherapy has been proposed as a complementary therapy to enhance sleep quality and regulate mood. However, few studies have specifically examined the efficacy of aromatherapy in managing sleep disorders in older adults. Therefore, the present study aims to systematically review the impact of aromatherapy on sleep quality among older adults.

Methods: It employed a meta-analysis design. A systematic and comprehensive search was conducted across 7 databases to identify randomized controlled trials examining the effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the literature. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis checklist.

Results: Aromatherapy demonstrated effectiveness in improving sleep quality among older adults (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.38 to -0.66; P < .001). Subgroup analyses based on aroma types, intervention modalities, and treatment durations revealed enhanced efficacy with lavender as the sole aroma (SMD = -1.39; 95% CI = -2.06 to -0.72; P < .001), non-inhaled aromatherapy (SMD = -1.73; 95% CI = -2.26 to -1.2; P < .001), and aromatherapy administered for less than 4 weeks (SMD = -1.16; 95% CI = -1.68 to -0.64; P < .001). Notably, significant effects of aromatherapy on anxiety (SMD = -0.83; 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.42; P < .001) and depression (SMD = -0.85; 95% CI = -1.30 to -0.39; P < .001) in older adults were also observed.

Conclusion: This study indicates that aromatherapy improves sleep quality in older adults, with single-use lavender, non-inhalation aromatherapy, lasting less than 4 weeks being particularly effective. Aromatherapy also alleviates depression, but its effects on anxiety require further evaluation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The flow diagram of the selection procedure. CBM = China Biology Medicine Disc, CNKI = China National Knowledge Infrastructure.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The risk for the bias of included 10 studies.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Forest plot of the total effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality. CI = confidence interval, IV = inverse-variance weighting, SD = standard deviation.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Forest plot of the total effects of aromatherapy on anxiety. CI = confidence interval, IV = inverse-variance weighting, SD = standard deviation.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Forest plot of the total effects of aromatherapy on depression. CI = confidence interval, IV = inverse-variance weighting, SD = standard deviation.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Funnel plot.SE = standard error, SMD = standardized mean difference.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Graph of the Egger test.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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