Clinical Aromatherapy Applied to the Elderly: Data Mining and Systematic Review
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This systematic review aimed to map the scientific landscape of clinical aromatherapy and to understand how its use has been addressed in the care of the elderly population. Based on the analysis of practices involving inhalation and massage with essential oils, particularly lavender were identified. The main therapeutic purposes included improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, agitation in dementia patients, psychological stress, and chronic pain, as well as enhancement of cognitive function and subjective well-being. Nevertheless, the review highlights the need for more standardized protocols and further studies with larger samples and long-term follow-up. Aromatherapy thus emerges as a promising resource for humanized and holistic elderly care.
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