Date of Award

2019

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not lavender oil is an effective therapy in improving the overall sleep quality in patients ages 18 to 65 years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of one double-blind two-stage randomized control trial (RCT), one double-blind RCT, and one single-blind RCT.

DATA SOURCES: All articles were published in English and were taken from peer reviewed sources using CINAHL Plus and Alt HealthWatch. All articles used were published between 2010-2015.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Two of the article’s outcomes were based on the patient selfreporting improved sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The third article outcome was measured by the patient self-reporting improved sleep quality, but this study used the Oguri-Shirakawa-Azumi Sleep Inventory MA version (OSA-MA). The results of all articles were compared to the patient’s baseline responses prior to the beginning of the study.

RESULTS: All articles demonstrated that lavender oil, whether inhaled or ingested, did statistically improve overall sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of these three studies, it appears that there is acute improvement in sleep quality for patients who used lavender oil therapy. Further research is warranted to determine if long-term use of lavender oil has serious side-effects and whether it is as satisfactory in improving sleep quality as compared to prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

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