Effect of aromatherapy on cancer complications: A systematic review

Mansoureh Ashghali Farahani; Roghaiyeh Afsargharehbagh; Fatemeh Marandi; Mojgan Moradi; Seyed-Mehdi Hashemi; Mahdieh Poodineh Moghadam; Abbas Balouchi

doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.003

Effect of aromatherapy on cancer complications: A systematic review

Complement Ther Med. 2019 Dec:47:102169. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.003. Epub 2019 Aug 5.

Authors

Mansoureh Ashghali Farahani¹, Roghaiyeh Afsargharehbagh², Fatemeh Marandi³, Mojgan Moradi⁴, Seyed-Mehdi Hashemi⁵, Mahdieh Poodineh Moghadam⁶, Abbas Balouchi⁷

Affiliations

¹ Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Cardiology, Shohada Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Science, Urmia, Iran.
³ MSc, Nursing Care Research Center (NCRC), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ MSs Student of Medical -Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Clinical Immunology Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology Ward, Ali-Ebne-Abitalelb Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. Electronic address: Hashemimahdi@zaums.ac.ir.
⁶ Instructor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
⁷ Student Research Committee, Nursing and Midwifery School, Iran University of Medical Science, Iran.

PMID: 31779991
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.08.003

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy on cancer complications.

Methods: In this systematic review, international (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE and CENTRAL) and national databases (SID and Magiran) were searched from inception of the databases to April 31, 2019. JBI and Jadad scales were used to assess the quality of the studies included.

Results: of 43 Studies conducted on 3239 cancer patients in 13 countries from 1995 to 2019, entered the final stage. The results showed that the aromatherapy improves the various physical and psychological complications, although few studies have shown that aromatherapy had no effect on skin reactions.

Conclusion: Considering the various complications and costs in cancer patients, it seems that the aromatherapy can be used as a proper supplemental treatment to improve complications, although further studies are needed to determine the protocol and the standard dosage.

Keywords: Aromatherapy; Cancer related complications; Systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Aromatherapy / methods*
Humans
Neoplasms / complications*
Pain Management*
Psychological Distress*
Quality of Life*