Lavender is traditionally alleged to have a variety of therapeutic and curative properties, ranging from inducing relaxation to treating parasitic infections, burns, insect bites, and spasm. There is growing evidence suggesting that lavender oil may be an effective medicament in treatment of several neurological disorders. Several animal and human investigations suggest anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsive and neuroprotective properties for lavender. These studies raised the possibility of revival of lavender therapeutic efficacy in neurological disorders. In this paper, a survey on current experimental and clinical state of knowledge about the effect of lavender on the nervous system is given.

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Lavender and the Nervous System

Background
In intensive care units (ICUs), patients cannot sleep well. Aromatherapy is used for depression, anxiety, relaxation and disorders related with sleep and stress.

Aim
This study aimed to investigate the effect of lavender essential oil on the sleep quality and anxiety level of patients in coronary ICU.

Participants
A total of 60 patients in coronary ICU participated in this study.

Design
A randomized controlled study was conducted with 60 patients in a province located in the southeast of Turkey.

Methods
After informing the patients in both groups about the study, they were administered a questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scale. The patients in the intervention group were given 2% lavender essential oil via inhalation for 15 days after which they were administered the same scales again to evaluate the sleep quality and anxiety. As for the control group, they were administered the same scales again after 15 days without the inhalation of lavender essential oil.

Results
Comparison of the PSQI and BAI scores of the patients in the control and intervention groups before and after the intervention showed statistically significant differences in the change in favour of the intervention group (p < 0·05).

Conclusion
Lavender essential oil increased quality of sleep and reduced level of anxiety in patients with coronary artery disease.

Relevance to clinical practice
As a non-invasive, cheap, easily applicable, cost-effective, independent nursing intervention and appropriate for cardiac patients, lavender essential oil could be applied in ICUs.

Effects of aromatherapy on sleep quality and anxiety of patients.

Lavender and sleep: A systematic review of the evidence

Background Sleep deprivation in hospitalized patients is common and can have serious detrimental effects on recovery from illness. Lavender aromatherapy has improved sleep in a variety of clinical settings, but the effect has not been tested in the intermediate care unit. Objectives To determine the effect of inhalation of 100% lavender oil on patients' vital signs and perceived quality of sleep in an intermediate care unit. Methods A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted in 50 patients. Control patients received usual care. The treatment group had 3 mL of 100% pure lavender oil in a glass jar in place at the bedside from 10 pm until 6 am. Vital signs were recorded at intervals throughout the night. At 6 am all patients completed the Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to assess quality of sleep. Results Blood pressure was significantly lower between midnight and 4 am in the treatment group than in the control group (P = .03) According to the overall mean change score in blood pressure between the baseline and 6 am measurements, the treatment group had a decrease in blood pressure and the control group had an increase; however, the difference between the 2 groups was not significant (P = .12). Mean overall sleep score was higher in the intervention group (48.25) than in the control group (40.10), but the difference was not significant. Conclusion Lavender aromatherapy may be an effective way to improve sleep in an intermediate care unit.

Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Vital Signs and Perceived Quality of Sleep in the Intermediate Care Unit: A Pilot Study

Effect of Rosa damascene aromatherapy on sleep quality in cardiac patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND : Sleep disorder is one of the common problems patients face in ICU and CCU and it is usually treated by sleeping pills Nowadays, the complementary medicine is highly considered because of its effectiveness and safety Aromatherapy is one of the holistic nursing cares which sees human beings as a biological, mental and social unit while the psychological dimension has the central role Each of these dimensions is dependent on each other and is affected by each other Therefore, it is fundamental for nurses to provide aromatherapy in their clinical performance Aromatherapy helps treatment of diseases by using vegetable oils and it seems to be effective in reducing sleeplessness METHODS : This was a clinical trial on 64 patients (male and female) hospitalized in CCU in Al-zahra and Chamran hospitals The intervention included 3 nights, each time 9 hours aromatherapy with lavender oil for the experiment group, while the controls received no intervention Both groups filled out the SMHSQ that includes 11 items to assess sleep quality before and after intervention RESULTS : Data analysis showed that the mean scores of sleep quality in the two groups of experiment and control were significantly different after the aromatherapy with lavender oil (p < 0001) CONCLUSIONS : Quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients was significantly improved after aromatherapy with lavender oil Therefore, using aromatherapy can improve the quality of their sleep and health KEY WORDS : aromatherapy, sleep, ischemic heart disease

Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

The impact of training through the telegram's virtual network on promoting women's knowledge and perceptions in preventing osteoporosis

Introduction: Premenstrual syndrome can lead to numerous problems for women and increase their susceptibility to depression compared to men. PMS is not a serious threat, but it can influence women's quality of life and mental health and reproductive. This research was conducted to compare the quality of life (QOL) in the three groups: women with premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and general population in Yazd (a city in the center of Iran). \nMethods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 246 women referring to Yazd health centers. They were voluntarily or randomly selected. Data collection tools were quality of life questionnaire SF36 and the premenstrual syndrome screening tool. Obtained data were analyzed by SPSS18.0 with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test for comparison groups on SF-36 subscales. \nResults: Among samples, 102(41.5%) had premenstrual syndrome (PMS), in 20(8.1%) the diagnostic characteristics for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) were found, and 124 (50.4%) were in general population (GP) group, respectively. Comparison groups with Kruskal-Wallis test on SF-36 subscales showed that except for physical function in other components of quality of life, PMS and PMDD groups and non-clinical populations were significantly different (p< 0.05). Considering the Mann-Whitney test, women with PMDD reported a poor health-related quality of life as measured by the SF-36. Women with PMS and PMDD had lower mean score especially in the aspect of role limitation- emotional problems. \nConclusion: Quality of life is significantly affected by premenstrual symptoms, especially in the aspect of role limitation- emotional problems. Further studies and training program regarding PMS is recommended to improve the quality of life in this population, particularly for those experiencing severe premenstrual disorders.

Maryam Khadibi

Papers

Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

The impact of training through the telegram's virtual network on promoting women's knowledge and perceptions in preventing osteoporosis

Comparison Quality of Life in the Three Groups: Women with Premenstrual Syndrome, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and General Population in Yazd