만다린 에센셜오일을 이용한 아로마 요법이 중년여성의 뇌파와 두뇌활용능력에 미치는 영향

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The Effects of Aromatherapy by Mandarin Essential Oil on Brainwave and Brain Utilization Ability in the Middle Aged Women

Kim, Young Sun Advisor: Prof. Lee, Mi Ja Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Graduate School of Chosun University

Purpose: The aim of this study was to provide aromatherapists with analysis of the effect of aromatherapy by mandarin essential oil on brainwave and brain utilization ability in the middle aged women. Methods: Aromatherapy with mandarin essential oils was given to 53 middle-aged women. Their brain waves were measured three times through pretest survey, midtest survey, and posttest survey with ‘Smart Brain’ brainwave measuring equipment. The aromatherapy consisted of inhaling mandarin essential oil and wearing an aromatherapy necklace for 3 hours. Results: As a result, it was found that, after aromatherapy with mandarin essential oil, statistical significance was obtained in the multivariate tests in the stability of spontaneous potential (p=0.015). In addition, statistical significance was obtained in multivariate tests in the background brain activity of spontaneous potential (p=0.021). Statistical significance was also obtained in multivariate tests in the evoked potential of right brain (p=0.030). In multivariate tests of changes in brain utilization ability, the brain test (p=0.012), the space perception ability (p=0.001), the memory power (p=0.003) were statistically significant. Conclusion: These results showed the possible positive effects of aromatherapy by mandarin essential oil on brainwave and brain utilization ability. This study suggested that aromatherapy can be an economical way to improve the cognitive health of middle-aged women. Furthermore the data from this study will be a good resource for aromatherapists.

Key Words: Aromatherapy, Mandarin essential oil, Smart Brain, Brainwave, Brain utiization ability