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Influence of aromatherapy on medication administration to residential-care residents with dementia and behavioral challenges

Topeka, Kansas

Alicia Ann Clair, PhD, MT-BC

University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; Colmery-O'Neil Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas

Thirteen older persons (seven men and six women) in residential care participated as subjects in this study. All participants had histories of confusion due to dementia and were identified by staff as being consistently resistant to medication administration as indicated by vocal outbursts, moving away, or physical combativeness. Subjects were exposed to four aroma interventions during medication administration: 1) lavender vera (lavendula officinalis); 2) sweet orange (citrus aurantium); 3) tea tree (malaleuca alternifolia); and 4) no aroma (control). All medication administrations were videotaped for later data collection. Observers were trained to record frequency and duration of resistive behaviors during medication administration in all four interventions for each subject. Reliability between two observers was extremely high. Results showed no statistically significant differences across all aroma conditions for either resistive behavior or duration of administration. Also, there were no statistically significant differences based on gender. This study indicates that aromatherapy does not reduce combative, resistive behaviors in individuals with dementia. Research with a larger sample in future studies may yield other results.

Key Words: aromatherapy • dementia • combativeness • resistive behaviors

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 17, No. 3, 169-174 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/153331750201700305


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