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Abstract Title:

Randomized Trial Examining Efficacy of Mentha piperita in Reducing Chronic Headache Discomfort in Youth.

Abstract Source:

Pain Manag Nurs. 2023 Dec ;24(6):e139-e147. Epub 2023 Sep 18. PMID: 37730471

Abstract Author(s):

Rae Ann Kingsley

Article Affiliation:

Rae Ann Kingsley

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Youth with chronic headache experience disruption to routine activities and require significant health care utilization. While interventions targeting a relaxation response have shown clinically significant benefit in headache outcomes, peppermint oil has not been evaluated for efficacy in a pediatric headache population.

AIMS: To explore the extent to which a brief aromatherapy intervention improves subjective and objective indicators of discomfort beyond passive relaxation in youth with chronic headaches.

DESIGN: Single-center, randomized, experimental study.

METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to a brief foot bath or foot bath plus peppermint oil group. Measurements were collected at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Data included heart rate and subjective pain, anxiety, and satisfaction scores.

RESULTS: Forty-six adolescents (89% female, mean age 15.2 years) diagnosed with a primary headache disorder were enrolled. Both groups reported a significant decrease in pain, though the intervention group plateaued (p<.01) and the control group progressively decreased intensity at each time-point (p<.01). Whereas both groups reported a decrease in anxiety over time (p<.01), the control group reported less of a decrease in anxiety than the intervention group (p = .03). The control group had a significant decrease in mean heart rate (p<.01). There were no adverse events. The intervention was well tolerated, liked, and recommended by 95.5% of study participants.

CONCLUSIONS: A brief intervention intended to activate the relaxation response produced a subjective reduction in pain and anxiety. However, the addition of peppermint oil to a foot bath did not significantly improve pain or anxiety beyond the control condition.

Study Type : Human Study

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