Display options
Cite
Keshavarz Afshar M, Behboodi Moghadam Z, Taghizadeh Z, et al. Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015;17(4):e25880doi: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880.
Keshavarz Afshar, M., Behboodi Moghadam, Z., Taghizadeh, Z., Bekhradi, R., Montazeri, A., & Mokhtari, P. (2015). Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women. Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 17(4), e25880. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880
Keshavarz Afshar, Mahnaz, et al. "Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women." Iranian Red Crescent medical journal vol. 17,4 (2015): e25880. doi: https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880
Keshavarz Afshar M, Behboodi Moghadam Z, Taghizadeh Z, Bekhradi R, Montazeri A, Mokhtari P. Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015 Apr 25;17(4):e25880. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880. eCollection 2015 Apr. PMID: 26023343; PMCID: PMC4443384.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015 Apr 25;17(4):e25880. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880. eCollection 2015 Apr.

Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women.

Iranian Red Crescent medical journal

Mahnaz Keshavarz Afshar, Zahra Behboodi Moghadam, Ziba Taghizadeh, Reza Bekhradi, Ali Montazeri, Pouran Mokhtari

Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
  2. Research and Development Unit, Barij Essence Company, Kashan, IR Iran.
  3. Mental Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, IR Iran.
  4. Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, IR Iran.

PMID: 26023343 PMCID: PMC4443384 DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Labor and delivery is a stressful stage for mothers. During these periods, sleep-related disorders have been reported. The problems of inadequate sleep include decrease in concentration, judgment, difficulty in performing daily activities, and an increase in irritability. Even the effects of moderate sleep loss on life and health quality can be similar to sleep deprivation. some research aggravated by aromatherapy on sleep quality in different periods of life so might be useful for the improve of sleep quality in postpartum women.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in postpartum women. The sample was recruited from medical health centers of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial with the control group. A total of 158 mothers in postpartum period (with certain inclusion criteria) were enrolled in the study and assigned randomly to two groups of control and intervention. Lavender fragrance (made by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Co.) was used by participants in the intervention group nightly before sleeping. The fragrance was dropped on cotton balls, which were placed on a cylindrical container at mothers' disposal. Keeping the container at a projected distance of 20 cm, the participants inhaled 10 deep breaths and then the container was placed beside their pillow until morning. This procedure was done 4 times a week for 8 weeks. For the control group, the same intervention was done with the placebo. The instrument for collecting data was Pittsburgh sleep quality index, which was completed at the baseline, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent t test and repeated measures analysis of variance calculated by SPSS16.

RESULTS: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between mothers in two groups (P > 0.05). After 8 weeks follow up, a significant improvement appeared in mothers' sleep quality in the intervention group. Aromatherapy increased sleep quality mean score (±SD) from 8.2911 (± 2.1192) to 6.7975 (± 2.3663) (P < 0.05), but in the control group sleep quality mean score (±SD) changes from 8.4557 (± 2.3027) to 7.5696 (± 1.1464) (P > 0.05). Comparing sleep quality between control and intervention groups after 8 weeks from the beginning of the intervention indicated that aromatherapy was effective in the improvement of mothers' sleep quality (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Considering the effects of aromatherapy on the improvement of mother's sleep quality during postpartum period, aromatherapy has been suggested as a non-pharmacological method for the improvement of the maternal health.

Keywords: Aromatherapy; Lavandula; Postpartum Period; Sleep Disorders

References

  1. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012 Aug;18(3):164-8 - PubMed
  2. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010 May;16(2):81-5 - PubMed
  3. Birth. 2005 Sep;32(3):187-93 - PubMed
  4. Public Health Rep. 2009 May-Jun;124(3):471-4 - PubMed
  5. Percept Mot Skills. 2012 Feb;114(1):111-22 - PubMed
  6. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2007 Apr-Jun;21(2):123-9 - PubMed
  7. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):136-43 - PubMed
  8. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2006 Mar-Apr;51(2):e21-7 - PubMed
  9. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:740813 - PubMed
  10. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Jan 15;167(2):178-87 - PubMed
  11. Chem Senses. 2010 Jan;35(1):31-40 - PubMed
  12. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2008 Nov-Dec;37(6):722-35; quiz 735-7 - PubMed
  13. Womens Health Issues. 2009 Jan-Feb;19(1):38-44 - PubMed
  14. Early Hum Dev. 2008 Jun;84(6):399-401 - PubMed
  15. Midwifery. 2011 Apr;27(2):181-6 - PubMed
  16. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2010 Fall;15(4):234-9 - PubMed
  17. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007 Feb;47(1):16-22 - PubMed
  18. Midwifery. 2014 Jan;30(1):60-4 - PubMed

Publication Types