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Background The aim was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy using Citrus aurantium blossom essential oil on premenstrual syndrome in university students. Methods In this double-blind clinical trial controlled on 62 students from March 2016 to February 2017. The intervention with 0.5% of C. Aurantium blossom essential oil and control was inhalation of odorless sweet almond oil in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The screening questionnaire (PSST) for PMSwas filled out before and also one and two months after the intervention. Results Mean score of overall symptoms of PMS between the Bitter orange and control groups In the first (p < 0.003) and second months (p < 0.001) of the intervention was significant. Besides, decreased the mean score of psychological symptoms in the intervention group (p < 0.001), but on physical symptoms and social function was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion The aromatherapy with Citrus aurantium blossom improved the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction This trial compared the effects of lavender and bitter orange on anxiety in postmenopausal women. Methods This trial was conducted in 2015. Eligible postmenopausal women were allocated into one of two intervention groups or a control group (n = 52 per group) in a 1:1:1 ratio using a randomized block design. Intervention groups received 500 mg capsules containing only bitter orange or lavender flower powder, and the control group received 500 mg capsules containing starch. The Spielberger's State -Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used before and eight weeks after starting the intervention. Data analyses were based on intention to treat. Results A one-way ANOVA showed no significant difference in mean state anxiety (P = 0.254) and trait anxiety (p = 0.972) score among the three groups before the intervention. The general linear model, adjusted for baseline state and trait anxiety scores and confounding factors, showed significant differences among the groups in the mean state anxiety (P = 0.010) and trait anxiety (p = 0.041) score after eight weeks of treatment. Bitter orange significantly reduced the mean state-anxiety scores compared with the control group [Adjusted Mean Difference (aMD): −1.99 (95% Confidence Interval, −3.64 to −0.34)]. Lavender significantly reduced the mean state-anxiety scores compared with the control group as well [aMD: −2.45 (95% CI -4.13 to −0.77)] and Bitter orange significantly reduced the mean trait-anxiety scores compared with the control group [aMD: −1.76 (95% CI -3.45 to −0.06)]. Lavender significantly reduced the mean trait-anxiety scores compared with the control group as well [aMD: −2.05 (95% CI -3.76 to −0.33)]. There was no significant difference between bitter orange and lavender groups after intervention in the mean trait-anxiety (p = 0.731) or state-anxiety (p = 0.578) scores. Conclusion The positive effect of bitter orange and lavender on anxiety in postmenopausal women suggests that they can be used to decrease anxiety in such women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor sleep quality is prevalent in candidates for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). The present study was conducted to compare aromatherapy with acupressure in terms of their effectiveness in sleep quality in patients undergoing PCIs. The present study was conducted on 85 patients undergoing PCIs and randomly assigned, using block randomization, to five groups, namely (1)aromatherapy, (2)placebo aromatherapy, (3)acupressure, (4)placebo acupressure (acupressure applied to a point not traditionally associated with improving sleep) and (5)control. The intervention groups received aromatherapy or acupressure or placebo from 10pm to 8am the following day. The control group received only routine care. Sleep quality was measured in the patients using a visual analog scale (VAS) that was completed by them before and after the intervention. The mean pretest score of sleep quality was 2.91 ± 0.53 in the aromatherapy group, 2.84 ± 0.47 in the placebo aromatherapy group, 2.98 ± 0.59 in the acupressure group, 2.75 ± 0.41 in the placebo acupressure group and 2.88 ± 0.41 in the controls. ANOVA suggested no significant differences among these groups in the pretest (P = 0.746). The mean posttest score of sleep quality was 3.72 ± 1.84 in the aromatherapy group, 3.70 ± 1.83 in the placebo aromatherapy group, 7.35 ± 0.99 in the acupressure group, 2.67 ± 0.41in the placebo acupressure group and 2.72 ± 0.34 in the controls, suggesting significant differences among the five groups based on the ANOVA results showed significant differences among the five groups (P < 0.001). The mean posttest score of sleep quality was higher than the pretest score by 4.37 in the acupressure group compared to in the other groups (P < 0.001). The present findings provided scientific evidence for the benefits of using different methods, including acupressure, for sleep quality in patients undergoing PCIs. IRCT201707248665N6. • Poor sleep quality is a common problem in patients undergoing PCI. • We compared acupressure effect vs. aromatherapy on sleep quality of patients undergoing PCI. • Acupressure may be an option for improving the sleep quality of patients scheduled for PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]