Effect of a lavender essential oil and sleep hygiene protocol on insomnia in postmenopausal women: A pilot randomized clinical trial

Explore (NY). 2024 Jan-Feb;20(1):116-125. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2023.07.004. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

Abstract

Introduction: Insomnia and vasomotor symptoms are frequently experienced during the menopausal transition and in postmenopause, worsening sleep maintenance and quality of life. Our study evaluated the use of lavender essential oil and sleep hygiene guidance on quality of life, sleep patterns and self-reported hot flashes in postmenopausal women with insomnia diagnosis.

Methods: This study is part of a larger experimental, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. We included 35 postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of insomnia who were distributed in two groups: A Placebo group (sunflower oil) and an Aroma group (Lavandula angustifolia essential oil); both inhaled the oils before bedtime for 29 days. The groups received sleep hygiene guidelines and weekly follow-up. Validated questionnaires were used to assess the effect of the intervention, and a sleep diary was used to assess sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE) daily. Participants who complained of vasomotor symptoms at baseline kept a daily record of their frequency and intensity.

Results: All participants benefited in almost all domains of quality of life and in the self-assessed TST and SE. The Aroma group achieved a significant improvement in their overall quality of life score over time. No differences were observed in respect of the hot flashes record and daytime sleepiness.

Conclusions: The aromatherapy intervention was effective in improving the overall quality of life in the Aroma group. Moreover, the sleep diary and sleep hygiene instructions helped all participants to, respectively, self-assess and improve their sleep patterns.

Keywords: Aromatherapy; Insomnia; Lavandula angustifolia; Postmenopause; Sleep; Sleep hygiene.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hot Flashes / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lavandula*
  • Middle Aged
  • Oils, Volatile* / therapeutic use
  • Pilot Projects
  • Plant Oils*
  • Postmenopause
  • Quality of Life
  • Sleep Hygiene
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / drug therapy

Substances

  • lavender oil
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Oils