A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia.
BACKGROUND
Insomnia is the most common of all sleep complaints and is under-researched. The current treatments of choice are conventional hypnotics agents, but these have potential for serious adverse reactions. Uncontrolled and anecdotal evidence suggests that lavender oil is an effective treatment for insomnia, but this has not been formally investigated.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to evaluate the proposed trial methodology and the efficacy of Lavandula augustifolia (lavender) on insomnia.


METHODS
INTERVENTIONS consisted of Lavandula augustifolia (treatment) and sweet almond oil as placebo/control. The aroma was supplied via an Aromastream device (Tisserand Aromatherapy, Sussex, UK).


METHODS
This was a pilot study with randomized, single-blind, cross-over design (baseline, two treatment periods, and a washout period, each of 1 week duration).


METHODS
Volunteers with defined insomnia treated on a domiciliary basis participated in the study.


METHODS
Outcomes were assessed with the following: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) indicating insomnia (score > 5 at entry); Borkovec and Nau (B&N) Questionnaire evaluating treatment credibility; and Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (HCAMQ) assessing attitudes to CAM and health beliefs.


RESULTS
Ten (10) volunteers (5 male and 5 female) were entered and completed the 4 week study. Lavender created an improvement of -2.5 points in PSQI (p = 0.07, 95% CI - 4.95 to - 0.4). Each intervention was equally credible and belief in CAM did not predict outcome. Women and younger volunteers with a milder insomnia improved more than others. No period or carry-over effect was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The methodology for this pilot study appeared to be appropriate. Outcomes favor lavender, and a larger trial is required to draw definitive conclusions.
Lewith
George T
GT
University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom. jbb2@soton.ac.uk
Godfrey
Anthony Dean
AD
Prescott
Philip
P
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil