Positive Health Online

Abstract

SADEGHI and COLLEAGUES, 1. Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Iran University of Medical Sciences conducted a randomised controlled trial to study the effects of self-aromatherapy massage of the abdomen on the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) in women.

Background

Primary dysmenorrhoea (PD) is the most common gynaecological complaint that occurs in women.

Methodology

This study was a randomised controlled trial. The subjects were 75 students whose severity of pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). Subjects were randomly divided into three groups: massage group with rose oil (n = 25) who applied self-massage with Rose damascene; a placebo group (n = 25) who performed self-massage with unscented almond oil and a no treatment control group (n = 25) who applied just self-massage. All three groups received the intervention in the first day of menstruation in two subsequent cycles. The severity of pain was self-reported by the students before and after intervention. All three groups were matched in demographic characteristics.

Results

The baseline pain reduced in the first cycle but this reduction was not significant in the groups (p > 0.05). In the second cycle, the menstrual pain was significantly lower in the rose oil group than in the other two groups after intervention (between massage with rose oil, almond oil p = 0.003 and massage with rose oil and just massage p = 0.000).

Conclusion

Massage with aromatherapy reduces the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea, in comparison with massage therapy alone.

References

Sadeghi Aval Shahr H1, Saadat M, Kheirkhah M, Saadat E. The effect of self-aromatherapy massage of the abdomen on the primary dysmenorrhoea. J Obstet Gynaecol. 35(4):382-5. May 2015. DOI: 10.3109/01443615.2014.958449. Epub Sep 25 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25254570