Comparing the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage with lavender oil on sleep quality of cardiac patients: A randomized controlled trial
Sleep disorders are a common problem in cardiac patients. This study, published in the journal ‘Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice’, aimed to investigate the effect of massage and aromatherapy massage on sleep quality of cardiac patients.
For this this study, 150 subjects were randomly allocated into three groups;
- Massage
- Aromatherapy massage
- Control
In the massage group, the subjects received hands and feet massage using sweet almond oil. In the second group, the massage was performed on the same areas using a mixture of lavender and sweet almond oil.
How data were collected:
Data collection tool included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Before and after the intervention, the PSQI was completed by the subjects.
Results:
There was a significant difference between the mean scores of PSQI before and after the intervention in the intervention and control groups, but this difference was not statistically significant between the two intervention groups.
Conclusion:
The researchers concluded that both Massage alone and and aromatherapy massage can improve the sleep quality in cardiac patients.
Keywords: Aromatherapy massage; Cardiac patients; Massage; Sleep quality.
Reference:
Cheraghbeigi N, Modarresi M, Rezaei M, Khatony A. Comparing the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage with lavender oil on sleep quality of cardiac patients: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 May;35:253-258. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.03.005. Epub 2019 Mar 8. PMID: 31003666.