The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage on the Pain Severity and Quality of Life in Acute Migraine Attacks: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

AIM: This study aims to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on the pain severity and quality of life in patients diagnosed with migraine, in addition to medical treatment during a migraine attack. METHODS: The study was performed as a randomized controlled trial. This study was carried out in the emergency department of a State Hospital. It was performed in the Emergency Department of Bitlis State Hospital. Data was collected between April 15, and October 15, 2017. The sample of the study was consisted of a total of 70 migraine patients including 35 experimental and 35 control group, subjects who visited the emergency department with migraine pain, along with the medical treatment, patients of experimental group were massaged for 15 minutes with an aromatic oil mixture applied on the temple and root of the neck for three weeks. RESULTS: It was found that the VAS scores of the experimental group before the application (9.26 ± 0.95) were significantly higher than the control group (8.54 ± 1.69) (p = .03). Migraine quality of life scale total and subscale scores of experimental group after the application were significantly higher than the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: In the study, it was concluded that aromatherapy massage had an effect on migraine pain and quality of life of patients with migraine.