title: A randomised controlled trial of the use of aromatherapy and hand massage to reduce disruptive behaviour in people with dementia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aromatherapy and hand massage therapies have been reported to have some benefit for people with dementia who display behavioural symptoms; however there are a number of limitations of reported studies. The aim is to investigate the effect of aromatherapy (3% lavender oil spray) with and without hand massage on disruptive behaviour in people with dementia living in long-term care.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single blinded randomised controlled trial 67 people with a diagnosis of dementia and a history of disruptive behaviour, from three long-term care facilities were recruited and randomised using a random number table into three groups: (1) Combination (aromatherapy and hand massage) (n = 22), (2) Aromatherapy (n = 23), (3) Placebo control (water spray) (n = 22). The intervention was given twice daily for six weeks. Data on residents' behaviour (CMAI) and cognition (MMSE) were collected before, during and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite a downward trend in behaviours displayed not one of the interventions significantly reduced disruptive behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further large-scale placebo controlled studies are required where antipsychotic medication is controlled and a comparison of the methods of application of aromatherapy are investigated.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ACTRN12612000917831.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Practice Innovation, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
authors.forename: Chieh-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moyle
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019341:Aromatherapy; D001519:Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil