This study was a systematic review to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms, perceived stress and depression in middle aged-women.

Eight databases were searched from their inception September 8, 2015. Two reviewers independently performed the selection of the studies, data abstraction and validations. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane criteria. For analysis of the data, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed.

From the electronic databases, 73 articles were selected, and 19 removed due to duplication. After two reviewers read the abstracts of 54 studies, 34 studies were selected. Complete papers for 34 original articles were read and, 12 studies which met selection criteria were reviewed and the effects of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms, stress and depression analyzed using meta-analysis with RevMan. In the 2 studies which included Randomized Controlled Trials testing of aromatherapy on menopausal symptoms and comparison of control and placebo groups were done. Aromatherapy massage was favorably effective in reducing the menopausal symptoms compared to the control group (n=118, MD=-6.33; 95% CI -11.51 to -1.15), and compared to the placebo group (n=117, MD=-4.14; 95% CI -7.63 to -0.64). Also aromatherapy was effective in reducing stress (n=72, SMD=-0.64; 95% CI -1.12 to -0.17) and depression (n=158, MD=-5.63; 95% CI -10.04 to -1.22).

There is limited evidence suggesting that aromatherapy for middle-aged women may be effective in controlling menopausal symptoms, perceived stress and depression.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of A-solution on halitosis and oral status in preoperative NPO patients.

A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The participants in this study were 66 patients who were admitted for gynecologic surgery. The experimental treatment was to give oral gargling with A-solution, blended essential oils and diluted with distilled water. To identify the experimental treatment effects, halitosis, salivary pH, and oral status were measured by a portable halitosis detector, visual analogue scale, Bromo Thymol Blue (BTB), Bromo Cresol Purple (BCP) test paper and oral assessment guide. Data were analyzed using χ²-test, t-test with PASW 18.0 version.

Participants were homogeneous before experimental treatment. Objective halitosis in the experimental group, measured by a portable halitosis detector (t= -8.34, p<.001) was significantly lower than the control group. Subjective halitosis was significantly lower in the experimental group (t= -9.29, p<.001). Salivary pH was significantly different between two groups (t=8.81, p<.001). Oral status was significantly better in the experimental group (t= -13.31, p<.001).

These findings indicate that oral gargling using A-solution is effective in reducing patient halitosis, and improving oral status.