Comparison of the efficacy of aroma-acupressure and aromatherapy for the treatment of dementia-associated agitation

• Main Authors: Man-Hua Yang, 楊曼華
• Other Authors: Li-Chan Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/36684974846413248505

博士 === 國立陽明大學 === 護理學系 === 103 === Background One of the most common symptoms observed in patients with dementia is agitation, and several non-pharmacological treatments have been used to control this symptom. However, because of limitations in research design, the benefit of non-pharmacological treatments has only been demonstrated in certain cases. The purpose of this study was to compare aroma-acupressure and aromatherapy with respect to their effects on agitation in patients with dementia. Methods In this experimental study, the participants were used multiple stages sampling then randomly assigned to three groups: 56 patients were included in the aroma-acupressure group, 73 patients in the aromatherapy group, and 57 patients in the control group who received daily routine as usual without intervention. The study instruments included CMAI, SSCI, MMSE, CSDD, PDS, vital sign, HRV and actigraphy. CMAI, SSCI, MMSE, CSDD, PDS were used in the pre-test, post-test and post-three-week test. Vital sign was daily checked before and after protocols during the four-week interventions. The HRV was used in the pre-test, the post-test and the post-three-week test as well as every week during the four-week interventions. The actigraphy was continuous used five days per week, in the pre-test, post-test and four-week interventions. Results The CMAI, CSDD and PDS scores were significantly lower in the aroma-acupressure and aromatherapy groups compared with the control group in the post-test and post-three-week assessments. The SSCI scores of aroma-acupressure group were significant lower in the post-test and post-three-week. The MMSE didn’t show any improvement in the three groups. The body temperature, pulse and blood pressure were significant lower in the both groups during four-week interventions. Sympathetic nervous activity of HRV was significantly lower in the fourth week in the aroma-acupressure group and in the second week in the aromatherapy group, whereas parasympathetic nervous activity of HRV increased from the second week to the fourth week in the aroma-acupressure group and in the fourth week in the aromatherapy group. The actigraphy included step and activity. The step was significant lower in the post-test in the aroma-acupressure group, and the activity was significant lower in the third week intervention in the aroma-acupressure group. Conclusions Aroma-acupressure had a greater effect than aromatherapy on agitation in patients with dementia. However, agitation was improved in both of the groups, which allowed the patients with dementia to become more relaxed. Future studies should continue to assess the benefits of aroma-acupressure and aromatherapy for the treatment of agitation in dementia patients.