SENSING AN IMPROVEMENT - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY TO EVALUATE THE USE OFAROMATHERAPY, MASSAGE AND PERIODS OF REST IN AN INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

There is widespread belief that the use of aromatherapy and massage in an intensive care environment offers a means of increasing the qualit y of sensory input that patients receive, as well as reducing levels o f stress and anxiety. Despite a wealth of anecdotal evidence in suppor t of these claims, there have been few objective studies to evaluate t he effects of these therapies. In this experimental study 122 patients admitted to a general intensive care unit were randomly allocated to receive either massage, aromatherapy using essential oil of lavender, or a period of rest. Both pre- and post-therapy assessments included p hysiological stress indicators and patients' evaluation of their anxie ty levels, mood and ability to cope with their intensive care experien ce. Ninety-three patients (77%) were able to complete subjective asses sments. There were no statistically significant differences in the phy siological stress indicators or observed or reported behaviour of pati ents' ability to cope following any of the three interventions. Howeve r, those patients who received aromatherapy reported significantly gre ater improvement in their mood and perceived levels of anxiety. They a lso felt less anxious and more positive immediately following the ther apy, although this effect was not sustained or cumulative.