Lavender oil is one of the best nonpharmacological interventions for sleep and anxiety problems

Research has discovered that inhaling lavender oil can help relieve sleep and anxiety problems in hemodialysis patients. This study, which was published in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice, provides promising information on the effect of lavender as one of the best non-drug interventions for sleep and anxiety problems.

• For the study, researchers from Erciyes University in Kayseri, Turkey analyzed the effects of lavender oil application via inhalation pathway on hemodialysis patients’ anxiety level and sleep quality.
• Hemodialysis patients often experience sleep problems and anxiety because of physical symptoms, lifestyle changes, and psychosocial changes.
• The researchers recruited 34 hemodialysis patients who have been on hemodialysis treatment at two dialysis centers.
• The researchers divided the participants into two groups: an intervention group and a control group.
• Participants in the intervention group put two drops of lavender oil into the box and placed it 15 to 20 centimeters (cm) away from their pillow. They did this 30 minutes before going to bed for a period of one week.
• On the other hand, the control group did not receive any intervention.
• The researchers gathered the participants’ data through surveys and face-to-face interview.
• Results showed that the intervention group reported better sleep quality compared to the control group.
• The daytime sleepiness scores of participants in the intervention group declined, while their average sleep duration increased.
• The mean anxiety score of the intervention group was significantly different than that of the control group.

These findings suggested that inhaling lavender oil may help improve sleep problems and anxiety, especially in hemodialysis patients.

To read more studies on the health benefits of lavender oil, visit EssentialOils.news.

Journal Reference:

?entürk A, Tekinsoy Kart?n P. THE EFFECT OF LAVENDER OIL APPLICATION VIA INHALATION PATHWAY ON HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS? ANXIETY LEVEL AND SLEEP QUALITY. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2018; 32(6): 324-335. DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000292