The Effect of Aromatherapy with Chicory essence On The Quality of Life In Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Introduction and objective: Patients with end-stage chronic renal disease (ESRD) undergo dialysis therapy to maintain their health. As increasing incidence of ESRD and because of chronic procedures in these patients, they suffer from difficult conditions and complications associated with underlying diseases; Therefore, as continuous dialysis procedure proceeds, it develops a number of physical and mental problems in patients that results in reduced quality of life in these patients. Accordingly, it would be an important attempt to improve the life quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aromatherapy with chicory essence in improving the quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Materials and methods: In this interventional clinical trial study, a total number of 80 hemodialyzed patients were examined (divided in two independent groups that each one consists of 40 individuals named as intervention and control groups). The intervention group were given wet handkerchiefs scented with chicory essence and were asked to clean their hands and faces at least three times a day, each time for five minutes during four weeks. The control group were provided with wet handkerchiefs without the essence and they were also asked to repeat exactly the same task. The quality of life was determined using a SF36V2 questionnaire at the beginning and the end of study and compared between the two groups. Results. General health in the intervention patients was significantly better than the control group and the average quality of life in the intervention group was measured superior than the control patients. Discussion and Conclusion: The results of this study showed that aromatherapy with chicory essence increases the average quality of life in hemodialyzed patients, although the enhanced quality of life was not so substantial that it could definitely be recommended in these patients. Also, as other factors affect the quality of life and its changes in these patients, the use of chicory essence can still be considered in hemodialyzed patients.