Effects of aromatherapy acupressure on hemiplegic shoulder pain and motor power in stroke patients: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine if aromatherapy acupressure, compared to acupressure alone, was effective in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain and improving motor power in stroke patients.


METHODS
This work was a randomized, controlled trial.


METHODS
Thirty (30) stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain participated in this study.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned to either an aromatherapy acupressure group (N = 15) or an acupressure group ( N = 15), with aromatherapy acupressure using lavender, rosemary, and peppermint given only to the former group. Each acupressure session lasted 20 minutes and was performed twice-daily for 2 weeks.


METHODS
Shoulder pain and motor power were the outcome measures used in this study.


RESULTS
The pain scores were markedly reduced in both groups at post-treatment, compared to pretreatment (both aroma acupressure and acupressure group, p < 0.001). A nonparametric statistical analysis revealed that the pain score differed significantly between the 2 groups at post-treatment ( p < 0.01). The motor power significantly improved at post-treatment, compared to pretreatment, in both groups ( p < 0.005). However, there was no intergroup difference between two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that aromatherapy acupressure exerts positive effects on hemiplegic shoulder pain, compared to acupressure alone, in stroke patients.
Shin
Byung-Cheul
BC
Department of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Oriental Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea.
Lee
Myeong Soo
MS
D019050:Acupressure / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019341:Aromatherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome