Could niaouli aromatherapy oil be an option in the treatment of urinary tract infections in hemiplegic patients?

Aim: Stroke remains a massive public health burden, affecting approximately 795,000 individuals each year. It is the leading cause of long-term disability in adults and the third leading cause of death in developed countries. After a stroke, medical complications are common and can prolong hospital stay, worsen stroke outcomes, and increase the cost of care. The most common medical complications related to stroke are infections, including pneumonia and urinary tract infection (UTI). Intervention strategies previously investigated in these cases and other patient populations include prophylactic antibiotics, antiseptic-impregnated catheters, and quality improvement interventions to reduce inappropriate catheterization. In addition, in recent years, complementary and alternative medicine methods, such as Melaleuca viridiflora (also known as tea tree or Niaouli oil) have become increasingly popular. The primary uses of this oil have historically been associated with the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects of this plant. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of M. viridiflora (Niaouli) oil in the treatment of UTIs in stroke patients.Material and Method: We did not find any study in the literature on the effects of Niaouli aromatherapeutic oil on UTIs, which are common in hemiplegic patients; therefore, we planned the current study. The hospital records were screened to identify patients treated at the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit of Health Sciences University Adana City Training and Research Hospital, who were diagnosed with UTIs during their follow-up and recommended Niaouli aromatherapy oil as a complementary treatment. The oil was supplied by the patients themselves. As the method of use, the patients were asked to prepare a washing solution by dripping 10 drops of Niaouli oil into 1 liter of water. The patients were recommended to wash the perineum area three times a day with this solution for 20 days.Results: The mean age of the hemiplegic patients evaluated in the study was 51.55±19.20 (min=18, max=77) years. Of the patients, 72.7% were male, 42.4% had an American Spinal Injury Association classification of C, 54.5% had spontaneous bladder emptying, and 30.3% had stage 1, 21.1% had stage 2, and 3.0% had stage 3 spasticity. Leukocyte esterase and leukocyte in urine and sedimentation values​ statistically significantly decreased in the post-treatment period compared to the pre-treatment period.Conclusion: UTI is a common complication in stroke patients. In this study, it was determined that the efficacy of the treatment of UTIs increased, and the use of antibiotics significantly decreased with the utilization of the fungicidal and bactericidal effects of M. viridiflora (Niaouli) aromatherapy oil.