Abstract
Objective : The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effectiveness of back care with aromatic plant oils on the respiratory function and subjective symptoms of healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects.
Participants : The subjects were 16 men and women in the 5th to 7th decades of life who had no past medical history or present conditions that would affect respiratory function, had no experience of skin trouble as a result of using aromatic plant oils, had no regular exercise habit, and who gave their informed consent to participate in this study. Methods : We performed interventions A, B, and C, as explained below, on all of the subjects. Before and after each intervention, we measured their respiratory function with a spirometer, chest expansion, and subjective symptoms on a 5-item visual analog scale (VAS). In intervention method C, we used Lavender super and Eucalyptus radiate diluted to 3% in jojoba oil.
A : Control (rest for 15 min);B : a total of 15 min consisting of a back massage with plant oil (jojoba oil) for 8 min+wiping the back with a hot towel+rest;C : a total of 15 min consisting of a back massage with aromatic plant oil for 8 min+wiping the back with a hot towel+rest.
Results : The subjects were 8 men and 8 women. Their mean age was 54.1±7.4 years, and their mean body height was 163.8±6.5 cm. The data in the group that received back care showed improvements in comparison with the control group in regard to chest expansion (F=8.898, p<0.01), tidal volume (TV) (F=3.919, p<0.05), and two VAS items, namely, “I am satisfied with my overall physical condition” (F=4.34, p<0.05) and “I do not have any discomfort in my shoulders and neck” (F=6.870, p<0.01). No differences were observed according to age or the order in which interventions B and C were performed, but an interaction according to sex was observed in the item “I can breathe easily” (F=4.28, p<0.05).
Conclusions : The results showed an increase in thoracic flexibility, alleviation of subjective symptoms, and associated improvement of respiratory function in response to brief back massage care using aromatic plant oils. The back care adopted in this study is a method that can be performed by anyone in a short time, and its incorporation into daily care conducted in a clinical setting or at home is recommended.
