Aromatherapy Massage for Neuropathic Pain and Quality of Life in Diabetic Patients.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether aromatherapy massage, including chamomile, could reduce neuropathic pain severity and improve quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.
Results Summary
The study found that aromatherapy massage significantly reduced neuropathic pain scores and improved quality of life in the intervention group compared to the control group by the fourth week. Chamomile was one of several essential oils used, but its individual effects were not isolated.
Population
Patients with painful diabetic neuropathy (n=46, intervention group n=21, control group n=25).
Effective Dosage
Not specified for chamomile individually (used in combination with rosemary, geranium, lavender, and eucalyptus).
Duration
4 weeks (three times per week).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aromatherapy massage | decrease | Neuropathic pain scores | patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy | - | significantly decreased | #1 |
aromatherapy massage | increase | QoL scores | patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy | - | significantly improved | #2 |
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of aromatherapy massage on neuropathic pain severity and quality of life (QoL) in patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy. DESIGN AND METHODS: This open-label randomized controlled clinical study was conducted in a university hospital endocrine outpatient clinic in Turkey. The study sample consisted of 46 patients, randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 25). The intervention group received aromatherapy massage three times per week for a period of 4 weeks. The control group received only routine care. Data were collected from patients using the Douleur Neuropathique questionnaire, the visual analog scale, and the Neuropathic Pain Impact on Quality of Life questionnaire. FINDINGS: Neuropathic pain scores significantly decreased in the intervention group compared with the control group in the fourth week of the study. Similarly, QoL scores significantly improved in the intervention group in the fourth week of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy massage is a simple and effective nonpharmacological nursing intervention that can be used to manage neuropathic pain and improve QoL in patients with painful neuropathy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Aromatherapy massage is a well-tolerated, feasible, and safe nonpharmacological method that can be readily integrated into clinical settings by nursing staff. The essential oils rosemary, geranium, lavender, eucalyptus, and chamomile can be safely used by nurses in the clinical setting, if applicable. However, training and experience of nurses in aromatherapy massage is critical to achieving positive results.