Effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing stress and anxiety levels in undergraduate health science students: a preliminary study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of aromatherapy in decreasing stress and anxiety levels in undergraduate health science students. Thirty-six students aged 18 to 29 were divided into those who received treatment (aroma group, n=18) and a control group (n=18). All subjects were assessed as to stress and anxiety levels before and after the treatment, by means of the List of Stress Symptoms and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The aromatherapy treatment consisted in twice weekly, 10-minute inhalations of a synergy of essential oils made specifically for this study, for a total of 7 sessions. Stress and anxiety scores measured before and after treatment were statistically compared, with significance level set at 5% (p<0.05). The aroma group showed a significant (p<0,05) decrease in stress (less 24%) and anxitey (less 13% and 19%) levels, while in control group only a significant, though lesser (11%) stress level decrease could be noticed. Aromatherapy thus proved effective in reducing stress and anxiety levels in graduate health students, but there is still great need to further studies to identify causes of the levels assessed, as well as the mechanisms whereby essential oils might have reduced them.