Effect of Aromatherapy Abdominal Massage using Peppermint Versus Ginger oils on Primary Dysmenorrhea among Adolescent Girls
Published 2013 · S. Rizk
18
Citations
2
Influential Citations
Abstract
Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one type of painful menstruation. Because of recent concerns about pharmacological therapy, several studies investigated the efficacy of numerous non pharmacological therapy for the relief of dysmenorrhea such as aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils obtained from plants. Currently there is a lack of sound evidence regarding the appropriate use of aromatherapy for menstrual cramps. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effect of aromatherapy abdominal massage using peppermint versus ginger oils on primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. Setting: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University in Egypt. The sample comprised a 120 eligible nursing students who were suffering of moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea. They were randomly assigned equally into 3 groups: study group (1) had received aromatherapy massage by peppermint oil. Study group (2) had received aromatherapy massage by ginger oil. Control group (3) had received massage by almond oil. Each subjects in the three groups received 15 minutes of aromatherapy, once daily for five consecutive days prior to menstruation for two successive cycles using a randomized control clinical trial study design. Three tools were validated and used for data collection; basic data and menstrual history interview schedule, Visual Analogue pain intensity Scale (VAS)and Menstrual symptom questionnaire (MSQ). Results: The main study findings show that, before intervention there was no statistically significant difference between the study and control groups regarding the severity of primery dysmenorrhea and its associated symptoms. Yet, students who received aromatherapy massage with either peppermint or ginger oils showed significantly reduction on the severity of dysmenorrhea and its location as well as daily life activities than control group, one and two months after intervention. Duration of pain, anorexia, diarrhea and/or constipation and level of mood were significantly improved among study group who received aromatherapy massage with peppermint oil. On the other hand nausea /vomiting, dizziness/ fatigue and headache were significantly improved among study group who received aromatherapy massage with ginger oil than the other two groups. The study Concluded that aromatherapy by either peppermint or ginger oils is effective in alleviating menstrual pain and its location. Peppermint is effective in improving the duration of pain, anorexia, diarrhea and/or constipation and level of mood. While ginger is effective in relieving nausea /vomiting, dizziness/ fatigue and headache. (Sahar Anwar Rizk. Effect of Aromatherapy Abdominal Massage using Peppermint Versus Ginger on primary