Hypertension is one of the most significant risk factors when it comes to cardiovascular diseases. It is typically treated with calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and/or diuretics, but long-term medications like these can have complicated side effects. What about a non-pharmacological approach?
A recent study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork evaluated the effect of lavender oil leg massage on physical, cognitive, and psychological variables of patients with hypertension.
The study’s authors hypothesized that a combination of lavender oil with leg massage may produce a better improvement in physiological, cognitive, and psychological variables in hypertensive patients than massage and/or aromatherapy alone, or no treatment at all.
The randomized controlled trial consisted of 100 hypertensive patients of both genders, aged 44–45. Only patients diagnosed with primary hypertension (not secondary, for example, stemming from complications or pregnancy) were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to either the study or control group. The study group received lavender oil leg massage for 20 minutes, while the control group received supine rest for the same length of time. Both groups were given treatment at the same time of day; massage recipients received treatment from the same therapist.
The study measured variables like blood pressure, pulse rate, random blood sugar level, oxygen saturation, pulmonary function, oral temperature, anxiety, and mindfulness. These factors were assessed before and after the treatment.
When looking at results within each group, researchers found that, whether resting or receiving the leg massage protocol, subjects had “a significant improvement in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, random blood sugar . . . and state mindfulness . . .” Of note, however, is a significant reduction in state anxiety was observed only in the massage group. In addition, the between-group analysis found significant improvement in state mindfulness and state anxiety in the lavender oil leg massage group compared to the control group.
While the study was clear on its limitations (including a research hypothesis that is “not fully justified without controlling for unscented massage”), researchers called for additional investigation. The authors pointed to previous studies on massage and lavender oil as evidence that combining the two might prove more potent in therapeutic outcomes.
In conclusion, lavender oil leg massage treatment is effective in lowering blood pressure and other physical variables and effective in improving cognitive function in those with hypertension. Results indicate it may also be more effective in reducing anxiety and improving a state of mindfulness than just rest.
Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v17i3.897.
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