Dermatol Nurs. 2002 Aug; 14(4): 231-4, 237-8, 256; quiz 239.

The effects of aromatherapy on pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Ro YJ, Ha HC, Kim CG, Yeom HA.

College of Nursing, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of aromatherapy on pruritus in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis. The participants were 29 adult patients living in Seoul, Korea. Thirteen patients were assigned to the experimental group and received the aromatherapy massage on the arm 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Pruritus score, skin pH, stratum corneum hydration, and pruritus-related biochemical markers were measured before and after the treatment. The results showed that pruritus score was significantly decreased after aromatherapy. Skin pH showed no significant changes in either group while stratum corneum hydration increased significantly in the experimental group after aromatherapy. The results support the use aromatherapy as a useful and effective method of managing pruritus in patients undergoing hemodialysis.