Massage with lavender aromatherapy reduced sleep disturbances on infant

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy's massage on reducing sleep disturbances in infants.

Method

a pre-experimental one group pre–posttest design involving thirteen infants aged 6–12 months who were selected purposively with criteria having sleep disturbances. Massage is given for 30 min in three consecutive days by using two drops of oil lavender aromatherapy mixed in 50 ml of oil-based. Data collection used a valid and reliable questionnaire, which is Sleep Disturbances Scale in Children (SDSC), one day before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Test.

Results

Massage using lavender aromatherapy is effective in reducing sleep disturbances in infants especially in the dimension of starting and maintaining sleep, somnolence disorders, and interruption of wakefulness sleep transition dimension (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Massage with Lavender aromatherapy is recommended as an alternative intervention to reduced sleep disturbances on infants aged 6–12 months.