Download PDF
CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2021; 43(12): 968-979
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1740210
Review Article

The Effect of Aromatherapy Alone or in Combination with Massage on Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

O efeito da aromaterapia sozinha ou em combinação com massagem na dismenorreia: Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise
Mona Najaf Najafi 
1   Clinical Research Development Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran
,
Neshat Najaf Najafi 
2   Clinical Research Development Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran
,
Farzaneh Rashidi Fakari 
3   Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Medicine, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
,
Somayeh Moeindarbary 
4   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neonatal and Maternal Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
,
Fatemeh Abdi 
5   School of Nursing and Midwifery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
,
Zeinab Sadat Hoseini 
6   Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
,
Masumeh Ghazanfarpour 
7   Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present systematic review meta-analysis is to assess the effect of olfactory stimulation on reducing dysmenorrhea.

Methods Systematic search was conducted in several databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus, to identify relevant research up to October 26, 2019. The identified studies were evaluated based on a modified Jadad scale. The intervention involves aromatherapy alone or in combination with essential oils. There was no restriction for the control group such as a placebo group or other common treatments. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 (Bio stat, Englewood, NJ, USA) was used for meta-analysis. Cochran's Q and I2 tests were utilized.

Results The findings of our meta-analysis, which contained 13 trials (15 data), showed that dysmenorrhea decreased significantly in the group receiving aromatherapy with herbal compared with the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.795; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.922 to- 0.667; 17 trials O < 0.001); heterogeneity; I2 = 19.47%; p = 0.236). In addition, four studies with insufficient data were not included in our meta-analysis. The results of all studies suggested that aromatherapy with herbal medicine group compared with control group is effective.

Conclusion Aromatherapy with herbal medicine decreased dysmenorrhea. This treatment was particularly effective when aroma oil was combined with massage or when a mixture of aroma oil was used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Resumo

Objetivo O objetivo desta revisão sistemática-metanálise é avaliar o efeito da estimulação olfatória na redução da dismenorreia.

Métodos Pesquisa sistemática foi realizada em várias bases de dados, como PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane e Scopus para identificar pesquisas relevantes até 26 de outubro de 2019. Os estudos identificados foram avaliados com base em uma escala de Jadad modificada. A intervenção envolve aromaterapia sozinha ou em combinação com óleos essenciais. Não houve restrição para o grupo de controle, como um grupo de placebo ou outros tratamentos comuns. O Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 (Bio stat, Englewood, NJ, EUA) foi usado para meta-análise. Os testes Q e I2 de Cochran foram utilizados.

Resultados Os resultados da nossa meta-análise, que continha 13 ensaios (15 dados), mostraram que a dismenorreia diminuiu significativamente no grupo que recebeu aromaterapia com ervas em comparação com o grupo de controle (diferença média padronizada [DMP] = -0,795; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: -0,922 a- 0,667; 17 ensaios O < 0,001); heterogeneidade; I2 = 19,47%; p = 0,236). Além disso, quatro estudos com dados insuficientes não foram incluídos em nossa meta-análise. Os resultados de todos os estudos sugeriram que a aromaterapia com o grupo de fitoterápicos em comparação com o grupo de controle é eficaz.

Conclusão A aromaterapia com fitoterapia diminuiu a dismenorreia. Este tratamento foi particularmente eficaz quando o óleo aromático foi combinado com massagem ou quando uma mistura de óleo aromático foi usada para o tratamento da dismenorreia.

Keywords

dysmenorrhea - herbal medicine - aroma oil - aromatherapy

Palavras-chave

dismenorreia - fitoterapia - óleo de aroma - aromaterapia


Publication History

Received: 05 December 2020

Accepted: 03 September 2021

Article published online:
21 December 2021

© 2021. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil

 

  • References

  • 1 Hur MH, Lee MS, Seong KY, Lee MK. Aromatherapy massage on the abdomen for alleviating menstrual pain in high school girls: a preliminary controlled clinical study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 2012: 187163 DOI: 10.1155/2012/187163.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Habibi N, Huang MS, Gan WY, Zulida R, Safavi SM. Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and factors associated with its intensity among undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study. Pain Manag Nurs 2015; 16 (06) 855-861 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.07.001.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Uysal M, Doğru HY, Sapmaz E, Tas U, Çakmak B, Ozsoy AZ. et al. Investigating the effect of rose essential oil in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2016; 24: 45-49 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.05.002.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Salmalian H, Saghebi R, Moghadamnia AA, Bijani A, Faramarzi M, Amiri FN. et al. Comparative effect of thymus vulgaris and ibuprofen on primary dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind clinical study. Caspian J Intern Med 2014; 5 (02) 82-88
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Unsal A, Ayranci U, Tozun M, Arslan G, Calik E. Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and its effect on quality of life among a group of female university students. Ups J Med Sci 2010; 115 (02) 138-145 DOI: 10.3109/03009730903457218.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 De Sanctis V, Soliman A, Bernasconi S, Bianchin L, Bona G, Bozzola M. et al. Primary dysmenorrhea in adolescents: prevalence, impact and recent knowledge. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev 2015; 13 (02) 512-520
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Shewte MK, Sirpurkar MS. Dysmenorrhoea and quality of life among medical and nursing students: a cross-sectional study. Natl J Community Med 2016; 7 (06) 474-479
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Al-Jefout M, Seham AF, Jameel H, Randa AQ, Ola AM, Oday AM. et al. Dysmenorrhea: prevalence and impact on quality of life among young adult Jordanian females. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2015; 28 (03) 173-185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2014.07.005.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Emem EA, Hassan HE. Correlation between quality of life and dysmenorrhea among nursing schools students. Int J Nurs Sci 2017; 7 (06) 123-132
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Azima S, Bakhshayesh HR, Mousavi S, Ashrafizaveh A. Comparison of the effects of reflexology and massage therapy on primary dysmenorrheal. Biomed Res (Aligarh) 2015; 26 (03) 471-476
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Hakim A, Ghufran A, Nasreen J. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of the pods of Iklil-ul-Malik (Astragalus hamosus Linn.). Indian J Nat Prod Resour 2010; 1 (01) 34-37
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Zahradnik HP, Hanjalic-Beck A, Groth K. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal contraceptives for pain relief from dysmenorrhea: a review. Contraception 2010; 81 (03) 185-196 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2009.09.014.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Singh N, Rai S. Primary dysmenorrhoea. Indian Obstet Gynaecol 2017; 7 (02) 38-45
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Zigler RE, McNicholas C. Unscheduled vaginal bleeding with progestin-only contraceptive use. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 216 (05) 443-450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.12.008.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Bakhtshirin F, Abedi S, YusefiZoj P, Razmjooee D. The effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil on severity of primary dysmenorrhea in Arsanjan students. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2015; 20 (01) 156-160
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Han SH, Hur MH, Buckle J, Choi J, Lee MS. Effect of aromatherapy on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in college students: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Altern Complement Med 2006; 12 (06) 535-541 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2006.12.535.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Uzunçakmak T, Ayaz Alkaya S. Effect of aromatherapy on coping with premenstrual syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2018; 36: 63-67 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.11.022.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Kim YJ, Lee MS, Yang YS, Hur MH. Self-aromatherapy massage of the abdomen for the reduction of menstrual pain and anxiety during menstruation in nurses: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur J Integr Med 2011; 3 (03) e165-e168 DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2011.08.007.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Buckle J. The role of aromatherapy in nursing care. Nurs Clin North Am 2001; 36 (01) 57-72
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Sadeghi Aval Shahr H, Saadat M, Kheirkhah M, Saadat E. The effect of self-aromatherapy massage of the abdomen on the primary dysmenorrhoea. J Obstet Gynaecol 2015; 35 (04) 382-385 DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2014.958449.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Ataollahi M, Akbari SA, Mojab F, Roshanaie G. Effects of aromatherapy by Rosaceous on the severity and systemic symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. Adv Nurs Midwifery. 2015; 25 (89) 59-67
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Apay SE, Arslan S, Akpinar RB, Celebioglu A. Effect of aromatherapy massage on dysmenorrhea in Turkish students. Pain Manag Nurs 2012; 13 (04) 236-240 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2010.04.002.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Davari M, Reihani M, Khoshrang N. The aromatherapy effect of rosemary and lavander on primary dysmenorrhea: a clinical controlled trial. Majallah-i Danishkadah-i Pizishki-i Isfahan 2014; 32 (290) 929-937
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Amiri Farahani L, Heidari T, Roozbahani N, Attarha M, Akbari TorkestaniN, Bekhradi R. et al. Effect of aromatherapy on pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea. J Arak Univ Med Sci 2012; 15 (04) 1-9
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Marzouk TM, El-Nemer AM, Baraka HN. The effect of aromatherapy abdominal massage on alleviating menstrual pain in nursing students: a prospective randomized cross-over study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013; 2013: 742421 DOI: 10.1155/2013/742421.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Ou MC, Hsu TF, Lai AC, Lin YT, Lin CC. Pain relief assessment by aromatic essential oil massage on outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2012; 38 (05) 817-822 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2011.01802.x.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Rizk SA. Effect of aromatherapy abdominal massage using peppermint versus ginger oils on primary dysmenorrhea among adolescent girls. J Am Sci 2013; 9 (11) 497-505
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Sajjadi M, Bahri N, Abavisani M. Aromatherapy massage with geranium essence for pain reduction of primary dysmenorrhea: a double blind clinical trial. Majallah-i Zanan, Mamai va Nazai-i Iran 2018; 20 (12) 50-57 DOI: 10.22038/ijogi.2017.10430.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Sut N, Kahyaoglu-Sut H. Effect of aromatherapy massage on pain in primary dysmenorrhea: A meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2017; 27: 5-10 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.01.001.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Song JA, Lee MK, Min E, Kim ME, Fike G, Hur MH. Effects of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2018; 84: 1-11 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.01.016.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Beiranvand S, Hosseinabadi R, Anbari K, Pirdadeh Beiranvand S, Asti P. The effect of lavender aromatherapy massage on severity and symptoms of primary dysmenorrheal. Complement Med J Fac Nurs Midwifery 2015; 5 (01) 1028-1041
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Khorshidi N, Ostad SN, Mosaddegh M, Soodi M. Clinical effects of fennel essential oil on primary dysmenorrhea. Iran J Pharm Res 2010; 2 (02) 89-93
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Chen Y, Shang GD, Fu GB. [Effect of massage on hemodynamics parameters of uterine artery and serum prostaglandin in treating patients with primary dysmenorrhea]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2011; 31 (10) 1355-1358
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Cheon JA, Lim MH. Effect of aromatherapy using nutmeg, fennel and marjoram on menstruation cramps and dysmenorrhea. J Korean Soc Cosmetol 2013; 19 (06) 1138-1147
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Choi EH. Comparison of effects lavender abdominal massage and inhalation on dysmenorrhea, pain, anxiety and depression. J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs 2009; 16 (03) 300-306
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Han SH, Ro YJ, Hur MH. Effects of aromatherapy on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea in college student woman: a blind randomized clinical trial. J Korean Acad Adult Nurs 2001; 13 (03) 420-430
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Hyun J, Hur M. [Effect of aromatherapy on the menstrual pain in cadet women]. J Mil. Nurs Res 2004; 22 (01) 64-87 Korean.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Iravani M. Clinical effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil on primary dysmenorrhea. Faslnamah-i Giyahan-i Daruyi 2009; 8 (30) 54-60
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 39 Kim HK, Kim HG, Cheong YS, Park EW, Yoo SM. [The effect of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea from high school girls]. J Korean Acad. Fam Med 2001; 22 (06) 922-929 Korean.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Kim NY, Kim CS, Kim YS. Effect that aromatherapy gets in woman's period pains. J Korean Soc Cosmetology 2008; 14 (02) 378-383
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Lee HJ, Lee YS, Shin HY. et al. [Comparative analysis on the effects of abdominal massage using aroma oil and ordinary oil on nurses' dysmenorrhea and painful menstruation]. J Korean. Clin Nurs Res 2006; 11 (02) 121-133 Korean.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 42 Lee YM. Effects of aroma-foot-reflexology on premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea and lower abdominal skin temperature of nursing students. Korean J Adult Nurs 2011; 23 (05) 472-481
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 43 Seo JY, Kim MY. The effects of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain, anxiety, and depression in nursing students. Korean J Adult Nurs 2008; 20 (05) 756-764
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 44 Heydari N, Abootalebi M, Jamalimoghadam N, Kasraeian M, Emamghoreishi M, Akbarzadeh M. Investigation of the effect of aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil on premenstrual syndrome in university students: A clinical trial study. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2018; 32: 1-5 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.04.006.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 45 Matsumoto T, Asakura H, Hayashi T. Does lavender aromatherapy alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms?: a randomized crossover trial. Biopsychosoc Med 2013; 7 (01) 12 DOI: 10.1186/1751-0759-7-12.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 46 Azima S, Bakhshayesh HR, Kaviani M, Abbasnia K, Sayadi M. Comparison of the effect of massage therapy and isometric exercises on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2015; 28 (06) 486-491 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2015.02.003.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 47 Raisi Dehkordi Z, Hosseini Baharanchi FS, Bekhradi R. Effect of lavender inhalation on the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea and the amount of menstrual bleeding: A randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Med 2014; 22 (02) 212-219 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.12.011.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 48 Nikjou R, Kazemzadeh R, Rostamnegad M, Moshfegi S, Karimollahi M, Salehi H. The effect of lavender aromatherapy on the pain severity of primary dysmenorrhea: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Ann Med Health Sci Res 2016; 6 (04) 211-215 DOI: 10.4103/amhsr.amhsr_527_14.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 49 Boskabady MH, Shafei MN, Saberi Z, Amini S. Pharmacological effects of rosa damascena. Iran J Basic Med Sci 2011; 14 (04) 295-307
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 50 Gazerani A, Sarchahi Z, Hosseini SS, Abavisani M. The effect of inhalation aromatherapy of geranium on pain and physiological indices after appendectomy: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Int J Surg Open 2021; 28: 44-49 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijso.2020.12.004.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 51 Zielińska A. Pain in irritable bowel syndrome. In: Fichna J. editors. A comprehensive overview of irritable bowel syndrome: clinical and basic science aspects. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2020: 145-66
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 52 Skalicka-Woźniak K, Walasek M. Preparative separation of menthol and pulegone from peppermint oil (Mentha piperita L.) by high-performance counter-current chromatography. Phytochem Lett 2014; 10: xciv-xcviii DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2014.06.007.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 53 Shavakhi A, Ardestani SK, Taki M, Goli M, Keshteli AH. Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial study. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2012; 75 (03) 349-353
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 54 Özmen T, Doğan H, Güneş Gencer GY. Effect of classic massage with peppermint oil on muscle soreness and muscle strength during recovery from exercise. J Sports Perform Res 2020; 11 (02) 103-111 DOI: 10.17155/omuspd.606247.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 55 Pannuti CM, Mattos JP, Ranoya PN, Jesus AM, Lotufo RF, Romito GA. Clinical effect of a herbal dentifrice on the control of plaque and gingivitis: a double-blind study. Pesqui Odontol Bras 2003; 17 (04) 314-318 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-74912003000400004.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 56 Ibaadillah AA, Samtyaningsih D. Effect of peppermint tea on dismenorrhoe in midwifery students of diii study program stikes Maharani Malang. J Nurs Care Biomol 2017; 2 (01) 6-9 DOI: 10.32700/jnc.v2i1.23.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 57 Masoumi SZ, Asl HR, Poorolajal J, Panah MH, Oliaei SR. Evaluation of mint efficacy regarding dysmenorrhea in comparison with mefenamic acid: A double blinded randomized crossover study. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2016; 21 (04) 363-367 DOI: 10.4103/1735-9066.185574.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 58 Mengoni ES, Vichera G, Rigano LA, Rodriguez-Puebla ML, Galliano SR, Cafferata EE. et al. Suppression of COX-2, IL-1β and TNF-α expression and leukocyte infiltration in inflamed skin by bioactive compounds from Rosmarinus officinalis L. Fitoterapia 2011; 82 (03) 414-421 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2010.11.023.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar