Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common in people with dementia. Aromatherapy may reduce the frequency and severity of BPSD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of aromatherapy in relieving BPSD and improving functional ability in people with dementia.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients with dementia receiving aromatherapy.
METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for RCTs published before March 2024 comparing aromatherapy with control treatments in patients with dementia.
RESULTS: There were 15 trials involving 821 patients. Overall, significant reduction in BPSD was observed after 1 month of aromatherapy treatment. Among 15 trials, 9 reported the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) score, and 7 evaluated the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score. The meta-analysis showed significant improvement in CMAI score (weighted mean difference [WMD] -6.31, 95% CI -9.52 to -3.11) and NPI score (WMD -8.07, 95% CI -13.53 to -2.61) in patients receiving 3 to 4 weeks of aromatherapy compared with the control group. Four of the 15 trials reported improvement in depressive mood and 3 trials reported no significant improvement in functional ability.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In conclusion, aromatherapy is a safe and viable nonpharmacologic treatment to improve BPSD in people with dementia and its combination with massage showed higher efficacy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 105199 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Medical Directors Association |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - Aug 2024 |