Aromatherapy Takes the Edge Off Pregnancy

The purpose of the study was to investigate the psychological and physiological effects of inhalation aromatherapy on 13 pregnant women at a gynecology clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to an aromatherapy (7 women) or control group (6 women), with mood measured before and after using POMS and heart-rate variability. Researchers aimed to determine if essential oils (EO) with linalyl acetate and linalool could provide psychological and physiological benefits for pregnant women. Researchers hypothesized that it would reduce stress, anxiety, and anger, affecting the parasympathetic nervous system. The importance of this study is to learn of stress alleviation techniques during pregnancy reducing risk of birth defects. The study aims to determine how aromatherapy can manage moods and heart rate during pregnancy.

Figure 1 shows those receiving aromatherapy inhalation and those in the control group (independent variable) completing the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after the experiment (dependent variables). During the study, participants wore the Active Tracer 301 portable heart rate monitor. Factors that remained the same (control) included the seating position of the participants, assigned group, room temperature, and surrounding environment. This phase of the study aimed at exposing the aromatherapy group to five minutes of inhalation followed by a rest period while the controls were in a relaxed state. The figure ensures that the study was controlled and reflects real world situations in terms of how to mitigate stress levels amongst pregnant women, allowing researchers to observe possible outcomes between groups.

Figure 3 shows changes in mood states based on the POMS before and after the intervention. The data came from a randomized controlled study with 13 pregnant women who were 28 weeks along and split into two groups: aromatherapy group (n=7) and control group (n=6). Exposure to aromatherapy was the independent variable and POMS results were the dependent variable. The experimental group breathed in EO’s for five minutes, while the control group did nothing. The aromatherapy group had a significant drop in both tension and anxiety (3 to 1, p < 0.05) and anger and hostility (2 to 0, p < 0.05). They also had a lowering trend in fatigue (p = 0.053) indicating that aromatherapy may help pregnant women feel less stressed.

Figure 4 shows changes in autonomic nervous system activity through heart rate variability. The RTC included 13 pregnant women (n=7 aromatherapy, n=6 control). The independent variable was aromatherapy exposure, while the dependent variables were parasympathetic (HF) and sympathetic (LF/HF) nerve activity. After five minutes of rest, only the experimental group inhaled EOs. Aromatherapy significantly increased parasympathetic activity (HF value, T = 12.0, p < 0.05), indicating relaxation showed no major changes. This suggests aromatherapy enhances parasympathetic response, promoting relaxation.

The results indicated that the inhalation of EO provides psychological and physiological benefits for pregnant women. While figure one outlines the scope of the study, figure three shows the improved effects of reduced stress and negative emotions. Figure four provides support that EOs that contain linalyl acetate and linalool promotes relaxation. While this study provides insight on stress alleviation techniques, the sample size does not prove to be conclusive. Future research might consider widening the sample size and exposure time with retesting.

Igarashi, I. (2013) Physical and Psychological Effects of Aromatherapy Inhalation on Pregnant

Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 19(10): 805-810. 10.1089/acm.2012.0103.