Chiu-Yen Wu1,2, Hsiu-Fang Lee3,4, C W Chang5,6, Hui-Chu Chiang7, Yu-Hsia Tsai5,8, Hsueh-Erh Liu5,9,10. 1. Department of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 2. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Department of Nursing, Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 4. Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 5. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 6. Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Department of Paediatrics, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 7. School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan. 8. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 9. Department of Rheumatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 10. Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Occupational stress is a common issue faced by workers in every discipline. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as aromatherapy massage or massage, have antistress effects in the literature. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial with triple blinds is to evaluate the immediate effects of lavender aromatherapy massage for improving work stress, burnout, and HRV parameters of female employees in a university. METHODS: A total of 53 subjects in experimental group whereas 57 subjects in control group completed interventions and measurement and led to power of 0.98. Inferential statistics, as independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-Square test, were performed to verify the expected relationships. RESULTS: The present study found that subjects in experimental group reported a lower role stress and less inclined to type A personality trait after aromatherapy massage with lavender. For control group, only less inclined to type A personality trait was reported after receiving massage. For burnout, a significant lower personal burnout and work-related burnout were reported after aromatherapy massage whereas only increased client-related burnout was reported in control group. For HRV, both the experimental and control groups reported higher SDNN and RMSSD in time domain after intervention. Contradictory HRT and PSI in time domain were significantly lower after intervention. In frequency domain of HRV, both groups reported significantly higher value in VLF and HF. In addition, the experimental group reported significantly higher value in TP and LF after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Both the lavender aromatherapy massage and massage did show immediate effect on different dimensions of work stress, burnout, and HRV. These two interventions can be applied as routine leisure activities by personal preference to reduce stresses occurring in work environment.
BACKGROUND: Occupational stress is a common issue faced by workers in every discipline. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as aromatherapy massage or massage, have antistress effects in the literature. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial with triple blinds is to evaluate the immediate effects of lavender aromatherapy massage for improving work stress, burnout, and HRV parameters of female employees in a university. METHODS: A total of 53 subjects in experimental group whereas 57 subjects in control group completed interventions and measurement and led to power of 0.98. Inferential statistics, as independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-Square test, were performed to verify the expected relationships. RESULTS: The present study found that subjects in experimental group reported a lower role stress and less inclined to type A personality trait after aromatherapy massage with lavender. For control group, only less inclined to type A personality trait was reported after receiving massage. For burnout, a significant lower personal burnout and work-related burnout were reported after aromatherapy massage whereas only increased client-related burnout was reported in control group. For HRV, both the experimental and control groups reported higher SDNN and RMSSD in time domain after intervention. Contradictory HRT and PSI in time domain were significantly lower after intervention. In frequency domain of HRV, both groups reported significantly higher value in VLF and HF. In addition, the experimental group reported significantly higher value in TP and LF after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Both the lavender aromatherapy massage and massage did show immediate effect on different dimensions of work stress, burnout, and HRV. These two interventions can be applied as routine leisure activities by personal preference to reduce stresses occurring in work environment.
Authors: Rossana Borchini; Lorenza Bertù; Marco M Ferrario; Giovanni Veronesi; Matteo Bonzini; Marco Dorso; Giancarlo Cesana Journal: Int J Occup Med Environ Health Date: 2015 Impact factor: 1.843