Cheng-yuan Lin
Asia University, Taiwan
Title: Effects of using aromatherapy to relieve knee pain for the elders in community : A clinical trial
Biography
Biography: Cheng-yuan Lin
Abstract
Background/ Objectives and Goals：Osteoarthritis is a common problem often resulting disabilities in elders. The knee is the most commonly reported site of osteoarthritis pain complaints. Aromatherapy is a homeopathy treatment that has increasingly become recognized as a legitimate medical treatment in healthcare system around the world. The aim of this study investigated the effectiveness of aromatherapy in relieving knee pain in the elderly. We carried out in three different communities. A random envelope was used to randomly allocate patients to the intervention group or the control group. A total of 78 elders with knee pain were randomized allocated to 2 groups, 38 participants were in experimental group and 40 participants were in the control group. No significant differences in demographics and health conditions between two groups were noted. For the elders in experimental group we applied essential oils to both knees for 15minutes twice a week for two months. For the elders in control group, we applied mineral oil with no essential oils to both knees, and also for the same way with the experimental group. Changes in joint pain, joint degree of stiffness and the degree of joint pain affect on daily life functions were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC®) of pain. Data were descriptively and analysed using Stata version 14.2 software. The mean scores in both groups for joint pain, joint degree of stiffness and the degree of joint pain effect on daily life functions in WOMAC® were reduced significantly at both 1 and 2 months (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, in first month of intervention, the scores of pain, stiffness and motor disturbance in the essential oil experimental group were reduced significantly more the mineral oil placebo group