The Effect of Aromatherapy on Cognitive Functions, Anxiety and Sleep

The Effect of Aromatherapy Application on Cognitive Functions, Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Elderly People With Diabetes

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of aromatherapy application on cognitive functions, anxiety and sleep quality in elderly people with diabetes.

In addition to its physiological complications, diabetes is a disease that has negative effects on cognitive functions and is accompanied by anxiety and sleep problems. These problems negatively affect diabetes management and glycemic control. Ensuring glycemic control is the most important goal of diabetes treatment. The chronic and progressive nature of diabetes, the continuous increase in the number of individuals with diabetes and the accompanying problems lead the individual to seek alternative treatment methods in addition to clinical medical treatment. When the literature is examined, it is seen that aromatherapy is used in many clinical applications. Studies have shown the positive effects of lavender and rosemary and aromatherapy on cognitive functions, anxiety and sleep problems. However, no comprehensive studies on its effects in the elderly with diabetes were found. This study was planned to determine the effect of aromatherapy application on cognitive functions, anxiety and sleep quality in elderly people with diabetes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Who agreed to participate in the research
• Those aged 65 and over
• Diagnosed with diabetes for at least 1 year
• Having no problems with hearing, speaking, seeing and smelling in a way that hinders communication
• Those who have no problem in verbal communication
• Passing the sense of smell test
• Not taking current anxiolytic or hypnotic therapy
• Not diagnosed with a psychiatric illness and without a diagnosis of mental disability
• Do not have any respiratory system disease such as asthma, COPD and allergic skin disease
• No diagnosis of epilepsy disease
• No known allergy to essential oils to be used in the application
• Those who did not use any of the other complementary and integrative application methods at the time of the study.
• Not using sleeping pills

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure to make interventions within the specified time
• Not attending one of the sessions
• Unwillingness to cooperate with the study
• In addition to existing diseases, respiratory system diseases such as asthma, COPD and allergic diseases
• Known allergy to essential oils and oil used in the study.
• Failed to pass the sense of smell test.
• Receiving anxiolytic or hypnotic therapy
• Those with a diagnosis of psychiatric illness
• Those with a diagnosis of epilepsy disease
• Speech, hearing and vision loss
• Those who do not agree to participate in the research
• Living alone