Evaluation and attributional analysis of an aromatherapy service for older adults with physical health problems and carers using the service.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an aromatherapy service for older adults with physical health problems and their carers. The aromatherapy service was based in a carer support unit at a hospital in Birmingham. The research question was, 'What types of benefits do clients/carers report from aromatherapy?'


METHODS
Qualitative analysis of interview scripts and written descriptions.


METHODS
The interviews were carried out either at the carer support unit, at a connected day centre or at the client/carer's home.


METHODS
The participants were six clients and four carers who were in contact with the carer support unit and had received aromatherapy from the aromatherapist in the past year.


METHODS
The participants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to explore which part of a session they liked best, perceived benefits of aromatherapy and a smell attribution to certain essential oils. The aromatherapist was also asked to write descriptions of her perceived benefits for the clients and carers. The interviews were analysed qualitatively and compared to the aromatherapist's written descriptions.


RESULTS
All clients and carers said they benefited from the aromatherapy and felt more relaxed after a session. The qualitative analysis revealed a 70% area of overlap and a 30% 'hidden' area of congruence. The smell analysis revealed individual differences in attribution depending on past experience and expectation of oil presented.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this evaluation suggest the aromatherapy service offered was valuable to clients and carers and their perception of its benefits for them were largely congruent with those of the aromatherapist.
Papadopoulos
A
A
South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, UK.
Wright
S
S
Ensor
J
J
D000368:Aged; D019341:Aromatherapy; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome