Effects of nighttime lavender aromatherapy on mood and physiological indices of stress in healthy young females

[Purpose] Inhalational aromatherapy using lavender essential oil or essence is known to alleviate pain and anxiety during rehabilitation. However, the effects remain unclear in individuals who are unaware of their pain and anxiety. In this study, we investigated the effects of lavender aromatherapy during sleep in females who did not experience pain or anxiety. [Participants and Methods] The study included 24 healthy females who were randomly allocated to control and aromatherapy groups. The control group used skin patches without aroma, and the aromatherapy group used lavender aroma-infused skin patches for seven consecutive nights. Psychological and physiological indices were measured before, during, and after the intervention. [Results] The lavender aroma-infused skin patches ameliorated a negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety. However, neither group showed a change in pulse rate and salivary cortisol concentration upon waking. Furthermore, no significant intergroup difference was observed in sleep quality. [Conclusion] Lavender aromatherapy during sleep improved a negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety in females who did not experience pain and anxiety; however, physiological indices remained unaffected.