The effect of aromatherapy with essential oils of lavender on sleep quality in the elderly

Introduction: Insomnia has a significant effect negative on the quality of life of the elderly and significantly decreases in the quality of daily functioning. On the other hand, the effect of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil has been shown to improve the quality of sleep in different patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the effect of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on elderly sleep quality in the elderly. Method: In this clinical trial study, single-blind randomized and 50 elderly people were selected using stratified random sampling method from Health Centers of Qaem Shahr. After obtaining a written consent and completing the demographic, clinical, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index the Iranian version of this questionnaire has a reliability of 0.86 and a validity of 0.89, Elderly received a Lavender inhalation intervention group every night, half an hour before bedtime, for 4 weeks, received 2 drops of lavender oil. The elderly of the control group received paraffin solution at the same time as the lavender essential oil group. Results: The mean age was 68.52 ± 19.6 years. Data analysis was carried out based on seven dimensions of sleep quality questionnaire. The mean of sleep quality before intervention, There was no significant difference between the intervention and the control group but after intervention, the mean score of sleep quality was significantly different in the two groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil can have a positive effect on improving the quality of sleep in the elderly. Therefore, it is recommended for elderly people.