Immunological and Psychological Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Link: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

This preliminary investigation compares peripheral blood cell counts including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), CD4 , CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, CD4 /CD8  ratio, hematocrit, humoral parameters including serum interferon-{gamma} and interleukin-6, salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA). Psychological measures including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire and the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) between recipients (n = 11) of carrier oil massage and aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil and sweet marjoram oil. Though both STAI and SDS showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01) after treatment with aromatherapy and carrier massage, no difference between the aromatherapy and control massage was observed for STAI and SDS. Aromatherapy, in contrast to control massage, did not significantly reduce RBC count or hematocrit. However, aromatherapy massage showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in PBLs, possibly due to an increase in CD8  and CD16  lymphocytes, which had significantly increased post-treatment (P < 0.01). Consequently, the CD4 /CD8  ratio decreased significantly (P < 0.01). The paucity of such differences after carrier oil massage suggests that aromatherapy massage could be beneficial in disease states that require augmentation of CD8  lymphocytes. While this study identifies the immunological benefits of aromatherapy massage, there is a need to validate the findings prospectively in a larger cohort of patients.

Comments

[Beth]

Can the therapy work with the elderly, with type II diatbetes, with a diagnosis of "osteomylitis"?
05/13/05

[aromatherapy course]

Aromatherapy works well because it is a mental relaxant and has physical effects as well (the properties of the oils). In combination, they work well together.