title: Nurses experience of aromatherapy use with dementia patients experiencing disturbed sleep patterns. An action research project.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to gain an insight into nurses' experiences of incorporating aromatherapy into the care of residents suffering from dementia, anxiety and disturbed sleep patterns. Twenty-four residents and twelve nurses from four nursing homes participated in an action research study. The use of lavender augustofolia essential oil diffused nightly was perceived as an effective care modality reducing insomnia and anxiety in this patient cohort. Nurses experienced some negative attitudes among colleagues because they considered aromatherapy as not evidence based. Nurses require greater access to evidence based use of Aromatherapy. Further research is needed to study how smell can enhance dementia care.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Nursing Science, Faculty of Health and Sports, University of Agder, Norway. Electronic address: Berit.Johannessen@uia.no.
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Johannessen
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019341:Aromatherapy; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D027523:Lavandula / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010465:Perception; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Aromatherapy; Care; Dementia; Disturbed sleep pattern; Lavender