Effects of aromatherapy on stress, fructosamine, fatigue, and sleep quality in prediabetic middle-aged women: A randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Although there has been an overall increase in life expectancy, the rise in chronic diseases poses a threat to healthy life expectancy. In particular, individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, stress, fatigue, postmenopausal accumulation of abdominal fat, insulin resistance, and insomnia are likely to have a poorer quality of life. This study aimed to investigate whether aromatherapy (inhalation and massage) could affect levels of stress, blood glucose, fatigue, and sleep quality in middle-aged prediabetic women. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. In this study, prediabetic middle-aged women, aged 40-65-years old, with a fasting blood glucose or HbA1c level of 100 mg/dL-126 mg/dL or 5.5-6.4%, respectively, were included. The experimental treatment consisted of direct inhalation of aroma essential oil and self-massage with 3% massage oil for two weeks, as prescribed by an international aromatherapist. To determine the effects of treatment, subjective stress, objective stress index, fructosamine, fatigue, and sleep quality were measured. Differences in stress response, sleep quality, and fatigue over time and between the two groups were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and Student's t-tests. Results: Subjective stress did not significantly differ between the two groups after one week but became significantly different after two weeks (t= -3.78, p = .001). After the treatment, there were significant changes in fructosamine (t= -3.53, p = .001), fatigue (t= -4.12, p = .001), and sleep quality (t = 6.27, p < .001). Conclusion: The study suggests that aroma inhalation and self-abdominal massage may help manage blood sugar, fatigue and improve sleep quality in pre-diabetic women.