2013 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 47-54
In this study, we examined the physiological effects of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) in elderly women who require care before sleeping. The study comprised twelve elderly women (age 79‒94 years; 83.7±4.6 years) certified as“cared 1” through“cared 3”level nursing in the public nursing system. All subjects used the inpatient services of the Elderly Garden healthcare facility. Sweet orange extract (25 µl) was added to water (500 ml) and dispensed as mist without heating using an aroma humidifier. The subjects slept in the same private room for 2 consecutive nights between 19:00 on December 7 and 7:00 on December 11, 2010. Sweet orange odor was diffused in the ambient air in the room for inhalation. Subjects sat on the bed at a 10 cm distance from the humidifier and inhaled the mist for 10 min. Subsequently, they slept in the room that was filled with mist, which was dispensed by the same aroma humidifier. Water (500 ml) was used as a control. This study used a within-subject design in which data of each physiological parameter for sweet orange odor exposure was compared with the data for control for the same subject. The following physiological parameters were evaluated: heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). For HRV, RR intervals were measured using a Holter ECG recorder and high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components were analyzed by Mem-Calc twice for 10 min during exposure before sleeping and for 5 minutes the next morning. Blood pressure was measured 3 times: before inhalation, after inhalation, and the following morning. Saliva was collected once using Salipet the following morning, and salivary cortisol and IgA were analyzed. The“simplified emotional score”and the“sleeping well score”were assessed using a subjective evaluation interview form. The“simplified emotional score”is a 7-point rating of 5 types of the present feelings, which were assessed. It was measured twice: after exposure to the sweet orange odor before sleeping and the next morning. The“sleeping well score”is a 7-point rating of 3 types of sleep quality. This was assessed once in the morning after exposure. Sleeping behavior was recorded using a network camera and body position was recorded using an acceleration sensor. Information was also obtained from night duty nurses.
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