Effects of chamomile oil inhalation on sleep quality in young adults with insomnia: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying sleep, or both. Aromatherapy is a commonly used complementary and alternative medicine practice by persons with insomnia. Previous studies have shown that use of chamomile oil during massage therapy improves the quality of sleep (QoS). However, to our knowledge, no randomized controlled trials have examined the effects of chamomile oil inhalation on the treatment of insomnia. The present study evaluated the effect of chamomile oil inhalation on QoS and insomnia severity in persons with insomnia.

Methods

A total of 80 participants ages 18-35 with insomnia were randomly assigned to aromatherapy group (AG; n = 40) or a control group (CG; n = 40). Those in the AG group received chamomile oil inhalation, while those in the CG group engaged in their normal routine for 10 minutes a day, daily for 15 days. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were administered before and after the intervention.

Results

Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction both in PSQI and ISI scores among those in the AG (P < 0.001 for both scores), whereas the CG reported a significant reduction in PSQI score (P = 0.033) and no significant changes in ISI score (P = 0.068). The between-group analysis after the intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in PSQI and ISI scores in the AG group (P < 0.001 for both) compared to the CG group. No participant in either group reported adverse events during or after the study.

Conclusion

Fifteen days of chamomile oil inhalation before bedtime reduced insomnia severity and enhanced the quality of sleep for young adults suffering from insomnia. Further studies are needed to replicate the results of this study using an active control group.