Aromatherapy alleviates endothelial dysfunction of medical staff after night-shift work: preliminary observations

作者：Shimada Kenei; Fukuda Shota^*; Maeda Kumiko; Kawasaki Toshihiro; Kono Yasushi; Jissho Satoshi; Taguchi Haruyuki; Yoshiyama Minoru; Yoshikawa Junichi

来源：Hypertension Research, 2011, 34(2): 264-267.

DOI：10.1038/hr.2010.228

• aromatherapy
• endothelium
• night-shift work

Night-shift work causes mental stress and lifestyle changes, and is recognized as a risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with impaired endothelial function. Aromatherapy is becoming popular as a complementary therapy that is beneficial for mental relaxation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy on the endothelial function of medical staff after night-shift work. This study consisted of 19 healthy medical personnel (19 men, mean age 32 +/- 7 years), including 11 physicians and 8 technicians. Aromatherapy was performed for 30 min by inhalation of the essential oil of lavender. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured three times in each subject: on a regular workday, and after night-shift work before and immediately after aromatherapy. A control study was performed to assess the effect of a 30-min rest without aromatherapy. The mean value of sleep time during night-shift work was 3.3 +/- 1.3 h. FMD after night-shift work was lower than on a regular workday (10.4 +/- 1.8 vs. 12.5 +/- 1.7%, P < 0.001), which improved after aromatherapy (11.8 +/- 2.5%, P-0.02 vs. before aromatherapy). FMD was stable in the control study (10.1 +/- 1.9 vs. 10.1 +/- 2.2%, P-0.9). This study demonstrated that night-shift work impaired endothelial function in medical staff, an effect that was alleviated by short-term aromatherapy. Hypertension Research (2011) 34, 264-267; doi: 10.1038/hr.2010.228; published online 25 November 2010

• 出版日期2011-2