Abstract
Abstract: Changes in autonomic nervous activity are induced by emotional stress. Determined whether power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) could detect changes in autonomic tone following relaxation smelling lavender aroma. Healthy young women subjects (n=8, 23±3 years) underwent continuous electrocardiographic monitoring before, during (5, 13, 21 minutes) after the fragrance was administered. HRV was expressed as low (0.04-0.15 Hz) and high (0.15-0.40 Hz) frequency components (LF, HF) and the LF/HF ratio. Increases of parasympathetic tone were suggested after smelling lavender aroma as seen in increases in HF and decreases in LF/HF. FDG-PET measurements revealed metabolic reductions in the right superior temporal gyms and right postcentral gyrus and activations in the left posterior part of the cingulate gyms. These results implied that smelling lavender aroma induced not only relaxation but also increased arousal level in these subjects. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S196 (2005)]
