| |
| author |
Laura Nurmi
| | title |
The Impact of Aromatherapy on Dementia-Induced Agitation
| | abstract |
While dementia is known for its impact on memory and cognitive functioning, mood and
behavioral changes, known as neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cause great distress and
negatively impact the lives and wellbeing of patients, families, and caregivers. Agitation is a
specific form of NPS that is the result of patients externalizing their anxiety into behavioral
symptoms, such as restlessness or aggression. With no pharmacological treatments available to
treat these symptoms, non-pharmacological approaches, including aromatherapy, have been
proposed. This study recruited participants within a memory care facility as a way to examine the
effects of lavender essential oils on these symptoms. The observers utilized the Observed
Emotion Rating Scale (OERS) and the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory Short Form
(CMAI-SF) to measure their moods and frequency of agitated behaviors. A vignette is featured
to provide the reader with a vicarious experience and analyze qualitative results. Quantitative
results were determined by comparing means for each item of the OERS and CMAI-SF between
the baseline and aromatherapy conditions. Major findings indicated that the anxiety/fear item
(OERS) had decreased from 3.1 to 2.1, and the general restlessness category (CMAI-SF) had
nearly halved, with 7.2 in baseline reduced to 3.7 following the introduction of aromatherapy
into the facility. Based on the data, lavender essential oils may be able to curb some negative
emotions and agitation in dementia patients, but efficacy varies between individuals and
day-by-day. However, the numbers indicate that there is a positive outlook for aromatherapy as a
way to reduce patient NPS, caregiver burden, and as a safer and cheaper alternative to
pharmacological treatments.
| | school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| | degree |
B.A. (2026)
|
| advisor |
Patrick Dolan
|
| full text | LNurmi.pdf |
| |
