Aromatherapy Massage on the Abdomen for Alleviating Menstrual Pain in High School Girls: A Preliminary Controlled Clinical Study
2012

Aromatherapy Massage for Menstrual Pain Relief in High School Girls

Sample size: 55 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hur Myung-Haeng, Lee Myeong Soo, Seong Ka-Yeon, Lee Mi-Kyoung

Primary Institution: Eulji University

Hypothesis

Does aromatherapy massage alleviate menstrual pain more effectively than acetaminophen in high school girls?

Conclusion

Aromatherapy massage significantly reduced menstrual pain compared to acetaminophen in high school girls.

Supporting Evidence

  • Aromatherapy massage was performed using a blend of essential oils.
  • The treatment group showed a greater reduction in pain compared to the control group.
  • Participants in the aromatherapy group had a higher dropout rate due to concerns about pain.
  • The study used a visual analogue scale to measure pain levels.
  • Results indicated that aromatherapy massage may be a safe alternative to painkillers.

Takeaway

This study found that rubbing essential oils on the belly can help girls feel less pain during their periods, more than just taking a painkiller.

Methodology

Participants were divided into two groups: one received aromatherapy massage and the other acetaminophen, with pain levels measured before and after treatment.

Potential Biases

Selection bias due to nonrandomized assignment of participants.

Limitations

High dropout rate in the aromatherapy group and nonrandomized methods may introduce bias.

Participant Demographics

High school girls with menstrual pain from Daejeon, Korea.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.001

Confidence Interval

−3.83 to −2.29

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2012/187163

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