Researchers at the UK’s Thames Valley University have released results of a pilot study of a randomized controlled trial spanning four counties, conducted to evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy massage with 1% Santalum album (Sandalwood) (group A) when compared with massage with Sweet Almond Carrier oil, (group B) or Sandalwood oil via an aromastone (group C), in reducing anxiety levels in palliative care.
The study’s aims were to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing anxiety in patients undergoing palliative care in a four-county area. The primary end points of the study were to report a statistically significant difference in anxiety scores between the experimental group (group B) and comparison groups (A and C) and to influence the integration of aromatherapy into all aspects of palliative care.
The study’s limited data testes the research’s logistics, especially the 25% attrition rate and the robustness of the data-collection tools.
The researchers’ results were not substantial enough, however, to generate coherent statistics. Therefore, no assumptions could be drawn from these results due to the inconsistencies that occur in such a small-sample study.
The results do seem to support the notion; however, that Sandalwood oil is indeed effective in reducing anxiety levels.
© Copyright 2007 Insight Journal Online Magazine.
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Evaluating
the effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing levels of anxiety in
palliative care patients: results of a pilot study. [Complementary
Therapies in Clinical Practice]
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